December 15, 2020

In the 10 December 2020 East Asia Forum article, “The challenges in resetting US–Southeast Asia relations”, Associate Professor Ja Ian Chong (NUS Department of Political Science) cautions the Biden administration of the forthcoming resistance it may face from Southeast Asia (SEA). A/P Chong foresees several challenges in reinstating the trans-Pacific relationship since the US and SEA drifted apart during previous administrations and will need to rebuild ties.

A/P Chong explains that due to previous US presidents’ lack of commitment to SEA by, such as President Trump’s removal of the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Biden administration will need to be consistent in building a relationship with SEA. Beijing is deemed to be a potential hurdle to the Biden administration’s pursuit of ties, as the conflict of China’s interest in SEA  could lead to a regional fallout or even military action by China.

A/P Chong emphasizes that the success of this partnership lies in active participation and cooperation between SEA and the US, as there is a history of failed collaborations between the two. Anticipating a challenging set of conversations between the US and SEA to ensue, he recommends that the regions practice “patience, political will, and some appetite for risk” during negotiations.

Read the article here.