The bilateral relations between the United States and Brunei Darussalam date back to 1850, when the two countries signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation. Today, both countries maintain a cooperative partnership, working closely on bilateral and regional initiatives, with a focus on defense relations.
A Brief History of US-Brunei Relations
Brunei is the third smallest country in Southeast Asia, with an area slightly larger than the state of Delaware. Yet, the country plays an important role in the global economy due to its rich crude oil and natural gas reserves. These resources make Brunei the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia and the ninth-largest liquified natural gas (LNG) producer in the world and contribute to its very high standard of living with a GDP per capita of nearly $33,000.
The US-Brunei relationship can be traced back to April 1845, nearly 180 years ago, when the USS Constitution visited Brunei. In 1850, the United States and Brunei signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation, still in effect today. The treaty allows citizens of the United States and Brunei protection and freedom of entry to both countries as well as facilitation regarding any commerce or trading activities.
Post World War II, US-Brunei relations were officially established in 1984, following Brunei's independence from Britain, when both countries opened their respective embassies. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. The relationship was further strengthened when both countries signed a military and defense cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 1994.
Over the years, both the United States and Brunei continued to work together to maintain friendship and diplomatic relations. This includes reciprocal head-of-state visits in the early 2000s, initiated by Bill Clinton’s first US Presidential visit to Brunei in 2000, followed by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah’s visit to Washington DC in 2002, which led to the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
The United States and Brunei's relationship was further cemented through a series of bilateral engagements in 2013, which included a commitment to protect the environment, and United States participation in ministerial and leader’s level summits during Brunei Darussalam’s ASEAN chairmanship by then Secretary of State John Kerry.
In recent years, the relationship between the United States and Brunei intensified through various cooperation such as ASEAN and APEC. In 2022, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam joined other ASEAN heads of state’s visit to Washington DC as part of the first US-ASEAN Special Summit with former President Joe Biden. During the Summit, President Biden announced additional initiatives worth $150 million in private financing to further bolster US-ASEAN relations. In 2023, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam once again visited the United States, this time in San Francisco, California for the 2023 APEC Leaders’ Summit.
Robust Bilateral Defense Cooperation
The partnership between the two countries spans cultural and academic exchanges, economic cooperation, health and environment as well as defense and security. Brunei’s strategic location in the South China Sea near other American bases in neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Australia contributed to its role as a perfect ally for the United States. Additionally, Brunei has been a partner of the US defense industry, with a $2 million small arms contract in 2019, and a roughly $180 million contract for 12 S70-i Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters, all of which were produced in Hartford, Connecticut. Therefore, military and defense cooperation mutually benefits both countries for the prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Bilateral meetings between defense officials at multiple levels are conducted frequently to further cement the US-Brunei partnership and increase mutual understanding between the two countries. In August 2024, former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomed Brunei’s Minister of Defense Pehin Halbi for talks at the Pentagon, where he mentioned the Acquisition Cross-Servicing Agreement and a 505 Agreement signed in 2023. Recently, Lieutenant General Joshua Rudd traveled to Brunei on January 22nd, 2025, to meet with Brunei Minister of Defense Pehin Halbi and Major General Muhammed Bol Hassan.
The defense MOU signed in 1994 opened doors to various military cooperation initiatives, including joint exercises, training programs, and military exchanges. Armed forces from the United States and Brunei are also involved in knowledge sharing through long-term courses in military academies and staff colleges.
One of the most significant knowledge transfer initiatives resulting from the MOU is the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei. Held annually in Brunei, CARAT strengthens maritime partnerships and enhances operational readiness between participating forces. The week-long exercise brings together the US Navy, the US Marine Corps, and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, fostering collaboration through joint training and strategic engagement. Although each CARAT exercise differs, strengthening cooperative maritime security capabilities to uphold peace and stability throughout the maritime regions is a consistent focus across the series.
Beyond its tactical benefits, CARAT underscores the United States’ steadfast commitment to Southeast Asia and its dedication to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The exercise includes various workshops and hands-on training activities conducted both on land and at sea, focusing on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, underwater medical strategies, and maritime security operations. Apart from CARAT, Brunei also participates in the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training Event, SEACAT, and the biennial naval exercise Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC.
In conclusion, the enduring US-Brunei relationship, rooted in historical ties and developed over decades, proves to be a productive and vital partnership in Southeast Asia. Through diplomatic engagement, economic cooperation, and defense collaboration, the United States and Brunei have demonstrated commitment to regional security and prosperity, paving the way for future connections.
Ashiqin Ariffin is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. Ashiqin is currently a second-year Master of Journalism student at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Alex Vu is a Spring 2025 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. Alex is currently a junior at the University of South Florida, studying Econometrics & Political Science.