Foreign policy expert says Asian countries question whether Washington can be counted on in a crisis at congressional briefing

Brookings Institution Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies Lynn Kuok discusses the growing perception of US unreliability with many Asian countries watching US security commitments in Europe and questioning whether Washington could be counted on in a crisis, with recommendations to restore US influence through deepening economic engagement, expanding trade ties, sustaining commitment to IPEF, supporting infrastructure investment in strategic sectors, increasing resources to the US International Development Finance Corporation, prioritizing USAID funding for initiatives aligned with US strategic interests, and strengthening alliances and partnerships at a US-China Economic and Security Review Commission briefing on United States and Chinese relations with Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.