US trade war is splintering South-east Asia

DESPITE its geopolitical heft, South-east Asia has rarely been more divided. In separately seeking tariff relief from the US, nations from Malaysia to Indonesia have undermined their collective leverage. They have a chance to present a united front at a regional forum this weekend – a move that would ensure they remain credible as a bloc capable of charting its own future.

US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the 10-member Asean meeting in Malaysia, which begins on Sunday (Oct 26). Sitting at the heart of the Indo-Pacific – a zone central to both US and Chinese strategic ambitions – the region is vital to global trade and security, with a combined gross domestic product of around US$4 trillion.

But Asean is not living up to its unity in diversity motto. Trump’s art-of-the-deal thrives on bilateral bargaining, and many leaders seem eager to play along in the hopes of securing short-term gains.