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Opinion | How the US can maintain influence over Asean, whether Trump or Biden wins
- US-China tensions have left Southeast Asian countries in a difficult position, and Washington should offer options instead of forcing them to take sides
- The US could adopt a cooperative approach in pushing against Beijing on issues like the South China Sea, Belt and Road infrastructure and Huawei
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During his first term, US President Donald Trump triggered concerns among Asian countries that Washington would not shoulder the responsibility of maintaining regional and global stability, and could even stage a strategic retrenchment from the Asia-Pacific.
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Whether Trump or Democratic challenger Joe Biden wins next week’s presidential election, Washington’s approach to the region – in particular Southeast Asia – must change.
The US should avoid presenting binary choices as part of its ongoing rivalry with China, adopt a looser cooperative approach in pushing back against Beijing – particularly in the South China Sea – and help build regional connectivity networks and infrastructure.
From early on in the Trump administration, there has been a consistent effort to challenge the perceived threat posed by China, leading to a focus on the concept of a “free and open Indo-Pacific”. The US has conducted dozens of freedom of navigation operations through the South China Sea over the past three years and in July carried out a series of high-profile maritime exercises involving two aircraft carriers operating in tandem.
The US Defence Department in August said Beijing had “likely considered” Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand for military logistics facilities as it seeks to build a “world-class” military capable of equalling or surpassing that of the US by mid-century.
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