The ASEAN Charter is a legally binding agreement between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It aims to promote political, economic, and trade growth in Southeast Asia. The organization also includes one candidate member state and one observer state. The ASEAN region has a population of over 600 million people and covers an area of 1.7 million square miles. The United States has a strong trade and investment relationship with the ASEAN member states. This trade agreement was formed in 1967 and has since grown to include 10 member states. Its goal is to boost economic and trade growth in the region.