Will Southeast Asian nations pick sides between the US and China?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met at a high-stakes summit amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China. As member countries weigh economic survival against strategic neutrality, they are recalibrating their partnerships to shield their economies from U.S.-China trade disputes and tariffs. In a recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur, discussions highlighted how member nations, including Japan, are adapting by strengthening ties with Gulf partners amid rising costs like the sharp rise in Japanese rice prices, signaling broader regional trade challenges.