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US-Asean relations

US-Asean relations
Breaking news and analysis on US-Asean relations, including trade, defence and diplomacy.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping as he arrives at Bunga Raya complex in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Tuesday. Photo: EPA-EFE/Malaysia’s Department of Information
Malaysia

China’s Xi arrives in Malaysia as Asean grapples with Trump tariff threats

Chinese president will meet Malaysia’s king and prime minister, with visit expected to usher in a rush of deals and increased cooperation.

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US-China trade war

Chinese factories in Vietnam see ‘crazy’ surge in orders amid US tariff pause

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Vietnam

Asian Angle | The ‘Tariff Man’ cometh: Vietnam’s misplaced faith in Trump 2.0

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Trade

Asean’s ‘illusion of solidarity’ splinters amid Trump’s tariff threats

While Malaysia calls for a united front, the reality is a race for bilateral deals, with Vietnam leading the charge – as China watches on.

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Illustration: Huy Truong
Malaysia

Asean rules out retaliation against US tariffs, to seek ‘frank dialogue’

The bloc said the levies will lead to ‘significant challenges’ for businesses and affect livelihoods of millions of people in the region.

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Asean

Trump’s tariffs: Asean urged to tap East Asia’s trillions in forex reserves

By diversifying its market investment sources, Asean can be less reliant on American capital, a former Malaysian central banker says.

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US-China trade war

Explainer | How dependent are these 6 major Asian economies on the US market?

A Post review of official data determines share of exports from major Asian economies to the US, as a percentage of their national GDP.

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US President Donald Trump holds up a list of countries covered by his “reciprocal tariffs”, on April 2. Photo: TNS
E-commerce

Workers in ‘Shein village’ face uncertain future as trade war escalates

The livelihood of hundreds of thousands of workers are under threat in a Chinese export hub churning out T-shirts and jeans for US shoppers.

Asean

Trump’s tariffs: Asean urged to explore trade diversification, tap FTAs

The call by analysts comes as Asean countries are among the hardest hit by US President Donald Trump’s universal tariffs.

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South China Sea

South China Sea: is Beijing’s code of conduct ‘milestone’ progress or a tactic?

In all likelihood, the negotiations will be kicked further down the road just as in the past, analyst says.

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Illustration: Pearl Law
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar vows Asean-wide challenge to Trump’s tariff wall

The Malaysian PM said he had spoken about a collective response to US tariffs with his counterparts from both Vietnam and Indonesia.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the South China Morning Post’s China Conference Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur in February. Photo: Nora Tam
Indonesia

Indonesia will not retaliate against Trump tariff, minister says

Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said that Indonesia would pursue diplomacy and negotiations to find mutually beneficial solutions.

Vietnam

Trump and Vietnam’s leader To Lam closer to tariff deal after ‘productive’ call

The US president says he spoke with Vietnamese leader To Lam, who is seeking to avoid punishing 46 per cent duties.

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Asean

Opinion | 3 ways Asean can survive Trump’s tariff war – and 4 ways China can help

Amid escalating global trade tensions, Southeast Asian nations must stick together and diversify their options to mitigate external shocks.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China trade war

Vietnam helped China’s firms avoid US tariffs. Trump just put an end to that

The US president’s reciprocal tariffs not only impose steep tariffs on China, but also popular transshipping destinations used by Chinese exporters.

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Vietnamese workers fold garments inside a factory in Ho Chi Minh City. US tariffs on Vietnam also pose a major threat to Chinese exporters that have shifted production to the country. Photo: AFP
Asean

Southeast Asians expect more US engagement amid Trump’s tariff call: survey

Singapore, one of the US’ closest partners in the region, is the most worried about the impact of Trump’s second term, a new survey shows.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Why the US could lose more ground in Southeast Asia

While the US remains Asean’s biggest investor, its investment in core infrastructure is limited. Meanwhile, China makes its presence felt.

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Asean

Macroscope | Southeast Asia’s new arms race undermines its regional strengths

As Asean members modernise their militaries, the bloc could be sacrificing its cherished norms of stability and consensus.

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Filipino soldiers march at a military airbase in San Fernando city, in the Philippines, during a visit by Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani on February 23. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China relations

US-China rivalry forcing Southeast Asia to pick sides, congressional panel hears

Washington urged to adopt a sector-by-sector approach to the region, shaping its choices before Beijing does.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | In today’s changing world order, the best hedge is agility

As great power rivalries intensify, collective action and strategic diversification can help others boost influence and avoid dependence.

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Asean

Opinion | US eggs crisis an opportunity for Asean to crack the American market

Agriculturally, Southeast Asia is a sleeping giant. If the region meets US requirements, it could position itself as a viable, long-term supplier.

A restaurant worker moves a box of eggs in Chinatown in New York on February 25. Amid an avian flu outbreak, the wholesale price of eggs is beginning to affect household budgets. Photo: AFP
Asean

Opinion | Trump is bringing the trade war to Southeast Asia. Asean must act

Unless nations can work together to blunt the worst effects, the region may have to live with slower growth for years to come.

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The Asean flag (right) is seen alongside the flags of member countries ahead of the grouping’s foreign ministers’ retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia, on January 17. Photo: Reuters
Technology

Opinion | How American AI ambitions limit options for Southeast Asia

As the US touts opportunity over safety in artificial intelligence, countries must balance potential economic gains with strategic interests.

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China-Asean relations

Zelensky-Trump clash sparks Asean jitters over reliability of US commitments

Each nation in the bloc has different needs and ties with US and China, posing tests for non-alignment, analysts say.

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Asean

Common ground or go it alone? Asean flummoxed by Trump tariff threat

Asean to hold talks on ways to approach tariff threat but some members are already making their own moves to negotiate with Trump’s administration.

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An Asean logo and flags of Asean members are displayed ahead of the bloc’s Foreign Ministers Meeting in Langkawi Island, Malaysia, in January. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Anwar’s Asean summit risks Trump’s ire as Malaysia courts China, Gulf bloc

While Anwar Ibrahim insists on neutrality, analysts warn the move to diversify trade ties could anger Trump and strain US-Asean relations.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gives a speech during a public lecture event in Putrajaya on February 10. Photo: EPA-EFE
China Conference: Southeast Asia

Can Southeast Asia be part of a new world order amid US-China tug of war?

Panel speakers at ‘China Conference: Southeast Asia 2025’ note that region has been ‘Trump-proofing’ and Beijing stands to gain if it seizes the opportunity.

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China Conference: Southeast Asia

‘Superconnector’ Hong Kong can share mainland expertise with Asean: CY Leung

At Post’s China Conference: Southeast Asia 2025, ex-city leader highlights potential for deeper economic cooperation between country and bloc.

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