The United States has identified small modular reactors (SMRs) as a key pillar of its energy cooperation with Southeast Asia, reflecting Washington’s broader strategy to strengthen regional energy security amid rapidly rising electricity demand.
Speaking after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, U.S. Ambassador to ASEAN Kevin Kim said Washington is engaged in “deep discussions” with several Southeast Asian governments on deploying SMR technology.
Kim described cooperation on SMRs as “an absolute priority” for the U.S. administration, saying the advanced nuclear technology would play a critical role in meeting the region’s future energy needs.
The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the United States, Japan and South Korea earlier this month, under which the three countries agreed to jointly promote the deployment of SMRs in third countries, beginning with the Indo-Pacific region.
The renewed focus on nuclear technology forms part of a broader US energy strategy in Southeast Asia that also includes expanding LNG trade, modernizing electricity grids and strengthening critical mineral supply chains.
