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The better way forward for South-east Asia caught in the US-China tussle
Instead of forced geopolitical choices, a development strategy of “structured deconfliction” – practical steps to avoid working at cross-purposes – is both achievable and necessary.
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Washington and Beijing will be judged not by who wins a tariff war – but by who helps South-east Asia build a future based on opportunity, resilience, and lasting prosperity.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Daniel Russel and Blake Berger
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President Xi Jinping’s recent visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia showcase China’s sustained engagement with South-east Asia. These trips by the Chinese leader, coming at a time of mounting global uncertainty, signal that Beijing is doubling down on the region as a strategic priority.
At the same time, regional leaders are quietly expressing concern about the other side of the ledger— the ripple effects of massive US tariffs, a shift towards protectionism and the dismantling of USAid programmes that have long supported valuable development partnerships.
