The U.S. has demonstrated its will to counter China’s influence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the Biden administration's foreign policy toward countries in the bloc starts to take shape. The Trump administration paid little attention to the region, allowing China to woo its neighbors there with economic support. If Washington wishes to restore its clout in Asia, winning back credibility within ASEAN is essential.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held his first online foreign ministers' meeting with his ASEAN counterparts on July 14. On July 16, President Joe Biden attended an informal online leaders' summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, which consists of 21 countries and regions.
