America Is Back? Opportunities and Obstacles to Restoring U.S. Credibility in Southeast Asia

ABSTRACT

U.S. president Joe Biden has announced that “America is back,” and in contrast to his predecessor’s unilateral and transactional “America first” policy, he has sought to assure world leaders of the U.S. commitment to multilateralism and renewed engagement with allies and partners. The Biden administration, however, has taken office at a time when Southeast Asian perceptions of U.S. power have declined dramatically. According to the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute’s “State of Southeast Asia 2021 Survey Report,” 49% of Southeast Asian elites view China as the region’s most influential political and strategic power compared to only 30% for the United States, a marked shift from a decade ago.1 Rising Southeast Asian concerns about China’s growing economic and strategic influence, combined with a desire for assistance in overcoming the Covid-19 health and economic crises, create opportunities for the Biden administration to enhance ties in the region. At the same time, long-standing concerns about U.S. commitment to the region and a fear that the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry will pressure Southeast Asian states to choose sides are key obstacles to strengthening ties. China is the largest trading partner of most Southeast Asian states and a leading source of investment across the region. Leaders seeking to maintain their strategic autonomy in an increasingly complex external environment may welcome the Biden administration’s pledge of renewed attention and support for allies and partners, but no state wants to be forced into a binary choice between Washington and Beijing. © 2021, Asia Policy. All Rights Reserved.