The private sector won’t save America’s Indo-Pacific policy
More needs to be done to repair the economic relationship with South-East Asia
America wants South-East Asians to know that it is the region’s best friend. In summits, white papers, speeches and private asides since coming to office in 2021, officials of the Biden administration have told them that America, not China, is the top source of foreign direct investment into the region. It is Uncle Sam who is going to make them rich.
Explore more
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Geopolitical gaslighting”
More from Asia
Can Donald Trump maintain Joe Biden’s network of Asian alliances?
Discipline and creativity will help, but so will China’s actions
What North Korea gains by sending troops to fight for Russia
Resources, technology, experience and a blood-soaked IOU
Is Arkadag the world’s greatest football team?
What could possibly explain the success of a club founded by Turkmenistan’s dictator
After the president’s arrest, what next for South Korea?
Some 3,000 police breached his compound. The country is dangerously divided
India’s Faustian pact with Russia is strengthening
The gamble behind $17bn of fresh deals with the Kremlin on oil and arms
AUKUS enters its fifth year. How is the pact faring?
It has weathered two big political changes. What about Donald Trump’s return?