Commentary Can faith in US leadership in Southeast Asia be restored
A FORGIVING LOT
Despite lingering scepticism, however, Southeast Asia is not going to turn tail on the US to unequivocally embrace China. Despite the ebbs, flows and stumbles of many past US administrations, Southeast Asian nations have, for the most part, been a forgiving lot.
They know the US remains the only game in town. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Singapore-based ISEASâ€"Yusof Ishak Institute, the majority in the region continues to welcome America’s strategic influence and anticipates a strong rebound in engagement of the region by the Biden administration.
This is despite the 2020 edition showing 77 per cent of respondents perceiving that US engagement with Southeast Asia under Trump had declined.
Indeed, when asked if they are forced to choose sides in the US-China rivalry, an even larger majority (61.5 per cent) picked the US compared to a year before (of 53.6 per cent).
The ball is now in US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ court. Due to visit Singapore and Vietnam this month, she is expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in digital trade, defence, cybersecurity, climate change and the global response to COVID-19 when here.
The first trip for the sitting vice-president since she was sworn in, observers will be watching for signs of stronger US leadership on issues close to the hearts of Southeast Asian nations. Let’s hope there are plenty.
Tan See Seng is Research Advisor at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Senior Associate at the Centre for Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, both at the Nanyang Technological University.
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