Pou SothirakandEoeng Kanhara

Asian Angle | Strengthening Asean is key for the US to boost its Indo-Pacific strategy

Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins next month, a renewed focus on Asean will be essential for lasting stability amid China tensions

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Asean leaders reach for each other’s hands during a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pou SothirakandEoeng Kanhara

Published: 1:30pm, 11 Oct 2024

As next month’s US presidential election approaches, a pivotal question arises: what will the next administration mean for its partnership with Asean?

The contours of US engagement with Southeast Asia are ripe for examination, especially in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and Washington’s relentless rivalry with Beijing, which compels it to reinforce its regional presence and partnerships.

The foundation of US regional policy, largely driven by the current Indo-Pacific Strategy, is unlikely to shift dramatically. What is likely to change, however, is the way that this strategy is implemented – with a stronger emphasis on direct engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its member states.

Such pivot would aim to ensure that the US maintains its pre-eminent position as a Pacific power, safeguarding security and stability across the Indo-Pacific.

During the US-Asean Summit in 2022, Washington reaffirmed its commitment to securing its strategic interests in the region, requiring it to play a larger role with Asean. The Southeast Asian bloc has garnered bipartisan support in the US, suggesting that increased engagement is on the horizon.

US Vice-President Kamala Harris at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Jakarta last year. Photo: Reuters

Last year’s summit saw Vice-President Kamala Harris reiterate America’s enduring commitment to Asean’s centrality, while Joe Biden’s administration has proposed an unprecedented US$1.2 billion in funds for the region’s economic development and security assistance, plus an additional US$90 million aimed at strengthening Asean institutions. This investment seeks to transform Asean from a largely symbolic organisation into a robust entity capable of countering China’s expanding influence.