The United States (US) will elect its new president on 5 November 2024. The election results will have significant implications for Southeast Asian countries due to deep trade links, substantial foreign direct investment, and shared security interests with the US. The close race between the two presidential candidates, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump, makes it hard to foresee the extent of continuity or change in foreign and economic policy.
Potential shifts in US policies may impact geopolitical stability and Southeast Asia’s security and economic prosperity. A pro-multilateral trade administration could provide a boost to the region while a protectionist administration could pose risks to export-driven economies such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. On the security front, an intensified US-China rivalry could make ASEAN’s balancing act of not choosing sides more difficult and might see increased US engagement in the South China Sea, escalating tensions between the two superpowers. At the same time, it could provide opportunities for the region, as more US companies may look to diversify their supply chains away from China. In the electronics sector, for instance, Vietnam and Malaysia appear to be major beneficiaries of this “China+1” strategy. How will these challenges and opportunities play out post-US elections? Will US foreign policy on Southeast Asia under either a Harris or Trump administration be very different?
For an engaging conversation on this topic, join us for the 13th Counterpoint Southeast Asia panel discussion on 19 November 2024, which asks, “
What are the implications of the 2024 US presidential election on Southeast Asia?”. Four experts from the region will provide their unique perspectives on this question.
Counterpoint Southeast Asia is a policy brief series that tackles strategic and complex questions facing Southeast Asia by presenting the perspectives of regional academics and policy experts. It is organised by the Centre on Asia and Globalisation, LKYSPP, NUS.