U.S.-ASEAN relations

The administration's aid cuts, tariffs, and new China strategy are all set to further test ASEAN.

There is an urgent need to reinforce U.S. competitiveness in the region regardless of who emerges victorious at the November 5 election.

The U.S. secretary of state will begin the six-nation tour with a visit to Vietnam to attend the funeral of the late Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong.

Recent years have seen the association’s members increasingly going their own way.

Under President Joe Biden, Washington has made considerable progress in its relations with the region, but clear weak points remain.

The Pentagon's palatable message for Southeast Asia.

The president attended the past two ASEAN-U.S. and East Asia summits, but will be represented by Vice President Kamala Harris at next month's meetings in Jakarta.

Contrary to the ongoing strategic tensions, most people in the region welcome good relations with and between the United States and China.

"Absent a major crisis, policy toward Southeast Asia tends to be a corollary of policies toward those major powers, most notably China."

"We believe in ASEAN centrality when it comes to addressing the crisis in Myanmar, which is the most acute security crisis that Southeast Asia is facing right now."

During her recent visit to the Philippines, Vice President Kamala Harris indicated that the U.S. is ready to step up its economic engagement in strategic sectors.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris will represent the U.S. at the upcoming APEC Summit in Bangkok.

The post has been filled by Yohannes Abraham, a former member of President Joe Biden's National Security Council.

But the Southeast Asian bloc is unlikely to take the punitive line favored by the U.S. and its Western partners.

Beijing pays frequent lip service to the idea, but it also poses significant challenges to China’s Southeast Asian ambitions. 

The pursuit of an elevated partnership provides a valuable opportunity for both sides to shape an updated, shared agenda.

A conversation with veteran academic Carl Thayer.

The meeting fulfilled its purpose as a symbolic statement of American commitment, but came up short on the specifics.

Washington's deepening engagement with NATO has unsettled efforts to consolidate alliances and partnerships in Southeast Asia.

The March 28-29 meeting has been delayed due to scheduling clashes with some Southeast Asian governments.

How has U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia changed over time? What do Southeast Asian states want from the United States?

While differences remain, Washington's current efforts will go some way to allaying Southeast Asian concerns about U.S. disengagement from the region.

The meeting highlighted where U.S. and Southeast Asian interests align, and where they part ways.

Insights from Bridget Welsh.