ISEAS Perspective: Southeast Asia Navigates Trumpian Storms – Disruptions, Recalibrations and Adaptations

NYSEAN VoicesRead MeMost PopularEnergy and EnvironmentRegionalInternational RelationsBruneiCambodiaIndonesiaLaosMalaysiaMyanmarPhilippinesSingaporeThailandTimor-LesteVietnam

Feb 6

Written By NYSEAN

Heads of state listen as a large display shows US President Donald Trump delivering opening remarks at the 13th ASEAN-United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025 | Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP

In this report published by NYSEAN Partner ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Hoang Thi Ha discusses the effects of the second Trump administration overturning long-standing pillars of US foreign policy. She asserts that Southeast Asia––with deep ties to the US economically, strategically, and developmentally––has been particularly vulnerable to the US slashing aid, weaponizing tariffs, and dismantling multilateral and normative commitments.

Hoang Thi Ha is Senior Fellow and Co-coordinator of the Regional Strategic and Political Studies (RSPS) Program at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

ASEANClimate Change

NYSEAN

ISEAS Perspective: Southeast Asia Navigates Trumpian Storms – Disruptions, Recalibrations and Adaptations

Cambodian Scholar Research Fellowships – Center for Khmer Studies

[Video] WagTalks: Presidential Policy — U.S. Development and Global Health Assistance with John Gershman