Singapore ranks first for regional leadership as Trump tops Southeast Asia concerns: Survey
Why it matters: The shift in confidence from the US to ASEAN impacts regional alliances and economic partnerships for 10 Southeast Asian nations.
- Singapore ranks first for regional leadership, according to the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute survey.
- More respondents now have confidence in ASEAN upholding the rules-based order than the United States, a first for this annual poll.
- Donald Trump is identified as the top concern in Southeast Asia.
- Southeast Asia would narrowly swing back to China over the US if forced to choose, as reported by Channel News Asia, adding nuance to the region's geopolitical leanings.
A new survey reveals that for the first time, ASEAN is seen as more reliable than the United States in upholding a rules-based order, with Donald Trump topping concerns in Southeast Asia. This shift is further highlighted by a narrow preference for China over the US if regional countries were forced to choose, indicating a complex and evolving geopolitical landscape.
