US pushes America‑First trade and technology agenda in ASEAN

The United States, under the Trump administration’s “America First” approach, is intensifying efforts to shift trade and security ties toward American solutions across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Acting director Thomas Hardy of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) said the agency will prioritize U.S. equipment, critical‑minerals supply chains, port infrastructure and small modular reactors, positioning them as alternatives to Chinese and Russian technologies.

The strategy includes the appointment of a new U.S. ambassador to ASEAN, the imposition of tariffs on trading partners, and support for rebuilding telecom networks in Pacific nations such as Palau, which is replacing former Huawei gear with U.S. 4G/5G equipment. The emphasis on national‑security interests reflects heightened U.S.–China rivalry and aims to rebalance economic relationships in the region.