Caught between China and the US: Southeast Asia’s Strategic Fence-Sitting / Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 4, 2025
The secret of success for many Southeast Asian countries has been their choice of economic and diplomatic multilateralism. Fence-sitting between rival powers is becoming fraught. China inspires a degree of fear in the region, due to its clout and geographical proximity. And under Trump, the United States is on the offensive against the multilateral trade system, with major diplomatic consequences. Can Southeast Asian countries maintain their balance by embracing new partnerships?
Sophie Boisseau du Rocher is a senior researcher specializing in Southeast Asian politics. She has previously taught at Sciences Po Paris and is a former associate research fellow at Ifri's Center for Asian Studies.
Françoise Nicolas is a senior advisor at Ifri's Center for Asian Studies.
Article published in French in Politique étrangère, Vol. 90, No. 4, 2025.
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Sophie BOISSEAU du ROCHER
Former Associate Research Fellow, Asia/Indo-Pacific Center, Ifri
Françoise NICOLAS
Senior Advisor, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
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