ARTICLES

15 Apr 2025

Vietnam’s 46 Per Cent Tariff Shock: A Catalyst for Economic Reform?

Nguyen Hong Thach

Vietnam has in the past embraced reform under pressure. The Trump tariff shock should spur reforms, particularly in reducing non-tariff barriers.

8 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Beijing Retains Considerable Weight in Regional Perceptions

Sharon Seah|Eugene R.L. Tan

Despite some apprehension about its actions, Beijing continues to retain considerable weight among Southeast Asian elites. This should improve if China learns to temper its assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea.

China Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey US

7 Apr 2025

Australia Rues “Extreme Strategic Loneliness”

Nick Bisley

Fulcrum editor William Choong discusses Australia’s strategic choices amid intensifying Sino-US rivalry and increased geopolitical flux with Prof Nick Bisley.

AUKUS Australia Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia US

4 Apr 2025

Trump’s ‘Liberation’ Day Unlikely to End Well for Southeast Asia — or Anyone

Stephen Olson

Trump’s “Liberation” day tariffs will hit Southeast Asia hard. Countries can hold firm and adopt appropriate countermeasures, or cut “deals” in order to reduce or eliminate the tariffs. Neither option bodes well.

ASEAN-US Relations International Trade US

4 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Betting on the Bulldozer: Why (Most of) Southeast Asia is Warming Up to Trump 2.0

Joanne Lin|William Choong

The US president’s tough leadership, reputation as a dealmaker and expectation that he may pay more attention to the region seems to be winning over ASEAN countries.

ASEAN ASEAN-US Relations State of Southeast Asia Survey US

3 Apr 2025

The State of Southeast Asia Survey 2025

Singapore is Not Buying into Trump 2.0

Joanne Lin

This commentary draws on the perspectives of 242 respondents from Singapore who participated in the State of Southeast Asia 2025 Survey.

Singapore Singapore-U.S. Relations US

19 Mar 2025

Southeast Asia Will Be Challenged by Trump 2.0

Sarang Shidore

Sarang Shidore suggests that deeper intra-ASEAN coordination could help the region cope amidst uncertainties surrounding US foreign policy under Trump 2.0.

ASEAN ASEAN-US Relations ASEANFocus Donald Trump US

19 Mar 2025

The Rules-based Order: In Dire Straits, But Not Dead

Daljit Singh

As the US steps away from the rules-based order it helped create, smaller countries need to step up to the plate to maintain it.

International Relations U.S. Foreign Policy US

18 Mar 2025

Musk, Myanmar, and the Murky Future of Internet Freedom

Surachanee Sriyai

Myanmar resistance groups depend on Starlink to circumvent government controls. But this can also be its Achilles heel.

Myanmar Myanmar Politics Technology US

14 Mar 2025

Indonesia’s Probable Foreign Policy Shift from the West under a Prabowo Administration

Melinda Martinus

Under Prabowo Subianto, Indonesia is expected to further distance itself from traditional Western alliances — a trend initiated during Jokowi’s administration — by prioritising partnerships within Asia, particularly with China for trade and investment, and strengthening regional cooperation through ASEAN and BRICS.

China Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy US