Beijing can capitalise on the uncertainty coming from Washington to woo Southeast Asia by showing “geopolitical magnanimity” on tough issues including the South China Sea, a Malaysian international affairs expert says.
Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia think tank which advises the Malaysian government, also said that if Southeast Asia was confronted with “corrosive” trade policies from the United States, the region “may have no choice but resort more to China”.
Since his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump has brought significant uncertainty with policies including tariffs, appearing to fracture…