In a tense moment during a Senate confirmation hearing, Senator Tammy Duckworth challenged Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, with a question about ASEAN. Duckworth’s query was simple: could Hegseth name any member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), describe the types of agreements the U.S. has with these countries, and explain the bloc’s structure? Hegseth’s inability to answer this basic question exposed a key gap in U.S. foreign policy knowledge at the time, underscoring the importance of ASEAN in the broader geopolitical context.
Formed in 1967, ASEAN comprises 10 Southeast Asian nations: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, with East Timor set to join soon. The organization was established to promote regional cooperation, economic development, and security stability. With over 650 million people and a GDP exceeding $3 trillion, ASEAN plays an essential role in both regional and global geopolitics.
ASEAN’s Geopolitical Relevance
The significance of ASEAN goes beyond mere numbers—it holds crucial geopolitical importance, especially in the context of rising Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region. China’s aggressive stance, particularly in the South China Sea, has escalated territorial disputes with several ASEAN countries. Nations such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei are all embroiled in maritime conflicts with China, which claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea—a critical waterway for global shipping and trade. Indonesia, while not directly involved in the disputes over the South China Sea, has voiced concerns about China’s expansion into its exclusive economic zone.
Given these tensions, ASEAN is key to U.S. foreign policy in the region. The U.S. seeks to counterbalance China’s increasing dominance by strengthening its ties with ASEAN member countries. The U.S. has been treaty-bound to several ASEAN nations like the Philippines and Thailand, forging defense and economic partnerships that are vital to maintaining security and stability in the region. The ongoing power struggle between the U.S. and China makes ASEAN even more pivotal in the geopolitical chess game.
ASEAN’s Role in U.S. Strategy
The U.S. sees ASEAN as a central player in maintaining a “free and open” Indo-Pacific. President Joe Biden has explicitly mentioned that ASEAN lies “at the heart of my administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy,” signaling the importance of these nations in balancing China’s growing influence. In 2022, Biden hosted a meeting with ASEAN leaders in Washington, highlighting the importance of the U.S.-ASEAN relationship and offering the U.S. a platform to engage with Southeast Asian nations on shared issues, including security, trade, and maritime rights.
ASEAN also holds its annual meetings where the U.S. is a regular participant. The U.S. defense secretary attends ASEAN defense meetings, while the U.S. secretary of state represents the U.S. in the group’s foreign ministerial dialogues. These meetings culminate in an annual summit, which has seen participation from sitting U.S. presidents, including both Biden and Trump.
This right here is why @PeteHegseth should be confirmed!! pic.twitter.com/OS4LlC19g4
— Erica 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@EricaRN4USA) January 14, 2025
The Economic Power of ASEAN
In addition to its geopolitical relevance, ASEAN plays a major role in the global economy. The group is central to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which was signed in 2020. This trade agreement includes not only ASEAN nations but also China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, creating the largest trade bloc in history. Together, these countries represent more than 30% of the world’s population and global GDP, marking ASEAN’s critical position in shaping global economic dynamics.
Several ASEAN nations are also part of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes countries such as Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK. The CPTPP represents an important economic alliance that comprises more than 14% of the world’s GDP. These trade agreements ensure that ASEAN remains an essential hub for global commerce and economic growth, further strengthening its global relevance.
China’s Influence on ASEAN Dynamics
Despite internal conflicts with China, many ASEAN countries maintain strong economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing. This balancing act—managing both cooperation and confrontation with China—makes ASEAN a unique diplomatic forum. ASEAN countries emphasize noninterference and rely heavily on personal diplomacy to navigate relationships with major powers like the U.S. and China.
This diplomatic flexibility has allowed ASEAN to forge strong partnerships with a variety of global actors. Besides the U.S. and China, ASEAN countries engage with Russia, India, Japan, Australia, and the European Union. Through these relationships, ASEAN plays a key role in global diplomacy and has become an essential forum for addressing major international issues, including security concerns and global trade policies.
ASEAN as a Multilateral Hub
One of ASEAN’s core features is its emphasis on multilateralism. The organization hosts several important diplomatic forums, including the “ASEAN Plus Three” talks, which involve China, South Korea, and Japan, and the “ASEAN Plus Six” talks, which add Australia, India, and New Zealand to the discussions. These platforms allow ASEAN to leverage its unique position as a neutral ground for dialogue between major global powers.
Moreover, ASEAN’s ability to coordinate a wide range of international relationships makes it a key player in shaping the future of the Indo-Pacific region. With its diplomatic flexibility, economic strength, and security partnerships, ASEAN will continue to be a crucial factor in U.S. foreign policy decisions for years to come.
ASEAN’s significance extends far beyond just being a regional bloc—it is central to the U.S. strategy for countering China, promoting global trade, and maintaining regional stability. Understanding ASEAN and its role in international relations is essential for anyone involved in shaping U.S. foreign policy and navigating the complexities of global geopolitics.
