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The upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS) is set to be a significant event, with President Donald Trump expected to attend. This year's EAS coincides with ASEAN's historic expansion to include Timor-Leste, the first new member in over two decades, strengthening ASEAN's identity as a community committed to democratic values, regional inclusivity, and strategic neutrality.
The EAS serves as a rare multilateral setting where both the US and China meet under ASEAN's chairmanship and agenda-setting authority. This year, it could potentially be a turning point in US-ASEAN relations, marking a leap forward towards a comprehensive US-ASEAN trade framework.
The strategic doctrine of ASEAN is one of balance, not bandwagoning, and prefers multipolar cooperation over bipolar confrontation. The EAS offers a multilateral setting where cooperation on trade, investment, and regional stability can happen under ASEAN leadership, reducing bilateral tensions.
Recent tariff reductions between the US and several ASEAN member states, such as a 19% tariff cut for Malaysian exports, provide a foundation for the US to pivot from protectionist reflexes toward strategic economic engagement. ASEAN's ambitions in industrial upgrading, digital economy frameworks, and regional integration can be leveraged to strengthen the US's economic presence in Southeast Asia.
ASEAN is home to ambitious national frameworks such as Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy, Indonesia's downstream resource policies, and Vietnam's digital economy transformation. These initiatives can enhance complementary growth between US and Chinese economic interests within the region, fostering managed competition rather than open hostility.
Beyond trade, the US can support ASEAN's diplomatic bandwidth by funding Track II dialogues, technology transfer in humanitarian response, and confidence-building among rival claimants in the East and South China Sea. The US can also engage in maritime security cooperation in the critical South China Sea region to counterbalance growing Chinese influence and ensure freedom of navigation, which underpins economic security.
President Trump must avoid zero-sum demands that force ASEAN into hard alignments. Instead, he should reinforce the strategic arc by supporting ASEAN's industrial upgrading and digital economic transformation initiatives to integrate more deeply into high-tech and value-added sectors. This approach can solidify the US's regional influence and contribute to regional security.
Moreover, the US should recognize ASEAN's role in conflict management and peace-making. Beyond trade, Washington must view ASEAN as a valuable partner in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
In summary, the East Asia Summit offers a unique multilateral forum for the US to manage rivalry with China through economic complementarity facilitated by ASEAN’s integrative role. The US can solidify its regional influence by enhancing trade, supporting ASEAN’s development strategies, and contributing to regional security. The US-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership requires substantive backing, and President Trump’s engagement becomes pivotal in this regard.
- The upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS), to be attended by President Donald Trump, is a significant event that coincides with ASEAN's expansion, including Timor-Leste, strengthening ASEAN's commitment to democratic values, regional inclusivity, and strategic neutrality.
- The US and China will meet under ASEAN's leadership at the EAS, and this year, it could potentially be a turning point in US-ASEAN relations, marking a leap forward towards a comprehensive US-ASEAN trade framework.
- ASEAN is home to numerous national frameworks, such as Malaysia's National Semiconductor Strategy, Indonesia's downstream resource policies, and Vietnam's digital economy transformation, which can be leveraged to strengthen the US's economic presence in Southeast Asia.
- Beyond trade, the US can support ASEAN's role in conflict management and peace-making, viewing ASEAN as a valuable partner in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
