US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Pompeo said during a speech to the US Chamber of Commerce on Monday that the money represents a down payment on a new era in US economic commitment to Indo-Pacific peace and prosperity. He said Washington will not seek to interfere in the region and will oppose any other country that tries to do so.

The statement came before Pompeo’s visit to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia this week, where he will announce a new security assistance plan for the region.