A recent survey suggests that more than half of the people in Southeast Asia would favor China over the United States if compelled to make a choice.
Growing Preference for China: A survey by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute indicates that over half of Southeast Asians would choose China over the United States, signaling a significant shift in regional preferences.
Distrust of Beijing: Despite acknowledging China’s economic influence, respondents expressed widespread distrust of Beijing, particularly concerning its potential for economic coercion and military aggression.
Economic Concerns Prevail: While geopolitical tensions between the US and China persist, the primary concerns for Southeast Asians revolve around economic issues such as unemployment, recession, and climate change, highlighting the region’s focus on economic stability and development.
The State of Southeast Asia 2024 survey, released this week, reveals a significant shift in preferences.
Approximately 50.5 percent of respondents expressed a preference for China, marking an increase of over 11 percentage points compared to the previous year.
This marks the first time that China has been favored over the US in the survey’s history.
China was also identified as the most influential economic power in the region by a majority of respondents, with 59.9 percent choosing it over the US.
Despite recognising China’s economic clout, the survey also highlighted widespread distrust of Beijing, with 67.5 percent of respondents expressing concerns about its growing economic influence.
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Major countries
This sentiment was particularly pronounced in countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Concerns about potential coercion by China, both economically and militarily, were shared by just over half of the respondents, while 45.5 percent expressed a lack of trust in China.
Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific programme at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, characterised the survey results as reflective of the complex relationship between Southeast Asian nations and China.
Glaser said that while countries in the region acknowledge China’s growing influence, they also harbor concerns about potential economic coercion and threats to sovereignty.
Ian Chong, a non-resident scholar at Carnegie China, cautioned that the survey results should be interpreted as a snapshot of sentiments during January and February of 2024.
Chong suggested that the shift towards China may be influenced by anti-US sentiment related to geopolitical events, such as the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Despite geopolitical tensions between the US and China, the economy emerged as the primary concern for respondents. Unemployment and the prospect of recession were cited as the top concerns, followed by climate change and intensifying economic tensions between major powers.
The survey also identified Israel’s war in Gaza as the most pressing geopolitical concern in the region, with significant attention from countries like Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
Concerns were raised about the potential for the conflict to fuel religious extremism and undermine international law and order.
Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.
CEOs warn tariffs are harming planning, raising costs, and reducing consumer spending, leading to uncertain economic forecasts.
In Short
U.S. company CEOs, including those from American Airlines and Procter & Gamble, are worried about the negative effects of changing tariff policies on their businesses and consumer behaviour.
Many industries anticipate increased costs, potential price hikes for consumers, and a slowdown in economic growth due to uncertainty in tariff regulations.
CEOs from major U.S. companies, including American Airlines and Procter & Gamble, are expressing concerns about the impact of shifting tariff policies on their businesses and consumer behaviour.
Travel has already been affected, with airlines revising their full-year outlooks due to softer leisure travel as uncertainty looms. Procter & Gamble is contemplating price increases on some products in response to these tariffs.
Major automotive groups have urged President Trump to reconsider the 25% tariff on car parts, citing significant increases in costs for consumers. American Airlines’ CEO, Robert Isom, noted that hiring and expansion plans may be curtailed due to the unpredictable economic environment.
Harming investment
CEOs from various sectors, including finance and aviation, highlighted how the instability in tariff regulations is harming investment and economic growth. Some consumers are already reacting by purchasing big-ticket items prematurely, fearful of future price hikes.
Telecom executives from Verizon and AT&T indicated they cannot entirely absorb the costs associated with tariffs, leading to inevitable price increases for consumers. Similarly, home builders like PulteGroup anticipate rising costs for new homes due to tariff-related expenses on materials.
While some executives support certain tariffs, many are concerned about the long-term effects on their operations and the economy as a whole. The International Monetary Fund also projects a slowdown in global growth as a result of these tariff policies.
Trump urges Putin to cease attacks on Ukraine following deadly missile strike on Kyiv, killing 12 and injuring 90.
In Short
A missile and drone attack on Kyiv killed 12 and injured 90, prompting Trump to urge Putin for a peace deal amid escalating tensions.
Ukraine seeks an unconditional cease-fire, but ongoing strikes and unacceptable Russian conditions raise concerns over future peace negotiations.
In a recent missile and drone attack on Kyiv, 12 individuals were killed and 90 injured, marking the most severe air assault this year.
U.S. President Trump responded by urging Russian President Putin to halt attacks and pursue a peace agreement. He expressed concern over the loss of life, highlighting that 5,000 soldiers perish weekly.
The attack involved over 200 missiles and drones and targeted critical Ukrainian industries. Trump’s frustration has increased as peace talks stagnate, with him also critiquing Ukrainian President Zelensky for dismissing a peace proposal that would legally recognise Russian control over Crimea.
Peace deadline
Despite Trump’s previous reluctance to criticise Putin, the attack shifted his stance. He has signaled a deadline for both Russia and Ukraine to reach a peace deal while the U.S. contemplates the extent of its involvement in negotiations.
Ukraine seeks an unconditional cease-fire, but Russia’s conditions remain unacceptable to Kyiv. A recent U.S. proposal would allow Russia to retain substantial territory and would limit Ukraine’s NATO aspirations.
Zelensky accused Russian forces of terrorism, attacking civilian areas and inciting widespread destruction, while Trump acknowledged the challenges of restoring Crimea to Ukraine.
The situation continues to escalate, with ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure, drawing international attention and condemnation. As rescue workers clear debris from the latest attack, uncertainties remain about the future of peace talks and the safety of Ukrainian citizens.
Trump targets migrant gangs with deportation crackdown
Trump advocates for strong immigration enforcement to restore law and order, warns against court-blocked deportations, and labels gangs as terrorist organizations.
Trump advocates for strong immigration enforcement to restore law and order, warns against court-blocked deportations, and labels gangs as terrorist organizations.
Former President Donald Trump says his administration is committed to restoring law and order through aggressive immigration enforcement.
He warns that dangerous consequences could unfold if courts block mass deportations.
Trump has labelled several gangs, including Tren de Aragua, as foreign terrorist organisations, and is pushing for faster judicial cooperation.
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