Sorry Asean, Trump’s return may sideline South-east Asia’s economic aspirations

DESPITE being Asean’s largest foreign investor, the US is expected to put the bloc on the back-burner – trade-wise – as the Trump administration makes a return, dashing the group’s hope of being viewed by world superpowers as an economic heavyweight.

In short, Asean should manage its expectations, observers have said.

Dominated by China hawks and US president-elect Donald Trump’s loyalists, the incoming administration threatens to knock off-keel US-Asean relations, often likened to a three-legged stool held up by defence, economic and diplomatic relations.