China Preferred for Trade over USA by SEA Nations, Study Finds

A recent survey conducted by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute has unveiled an intriguing shift in Southeast Asia's geopolitical landscape: China has overtaken the United States as the region's preferred alignment choice. The survey, which engaged 1,994 individuals from Southeast Asia, indicates that China's popularity has surged from 38.9% to 50.5% in 2024, surpassing the US in the eyes of respondents.

This trend is particularly pronounced in countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, where approximately three out of four respondents lean towards Beijing.

The survey attributes the decline in confidence in the US to the escalating rivalry between China and the US, which has sparked concerns about America's expanding strategic and political influence.

While Southeast Asian nations have historically valued the US as a crucial security partner, the Biden administration's efforts to bolster military cooperation in response to China's growing defense capabilities have not gone unnoticed. However, the region also looks to China as a key source of financing and trade, especially as leaders seek to invigorate their economies with fresh investments.

One of the challenges facing the US is the skepticism surrounding its economic engagement efforts. Many Southeast Asians express uncertainty about the effectiveness of initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, a US-led endeavor aimed at enhancing trade but criticized for its limited market access.

China emerges once again as the dominant economic and political force in the region, outstripping the US in both spheres by significant margins. Additionally, the survey underscores the Israel-Hamas conflict as a top geopolitical concern in the region, with a considerable number of respondents expressing apprehension over the severity of Israel's actions in Gaza.