Summary: China is positioning itself as a stabilizing force in Southeast Asia, offering economic cooperation and opposing unilateralism and protectionism. This comes as the US, under Trump, withdraws from its global leadership role, creating a power vacuum. Southeast Asian nations, facing economic challenges from US tariffs, are now forced to navigate the complexities of aligning with either China or the US, a choice they wish to avoid.

Link: https://www.theedgesingapore.com/views/geopolitics/china-steps-us-steps-aside