Any drastic change in US policy towards Asean would inevitably reduce US employment, something Trump must avoid at all costs. Although the average income of the entire Asean region still cannot match the EU, the overall figure is rising. The only previous leader who had established a similar rapport with Asean was former Japanese prime minister Takeo Fukuda when he initiated the “hearts to hearts” dialogue with Asean leaders amid the anti-Japanese sentiment of the 1970s. In response to the much-needed intra-Asean cooperation on terrorism, the Asean leaders signed the Convention for Counter Terrorism in 2007 after 90 days of consultation. Indeed, the US has persuaded Asean leaders to shape a new agenda with more strategic issues.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 20, 2016 18:21 UTC