Washington will engage more with South-east Asia

Significance

She addressed two key issues during her trip: tensions in post-coup Myanmar and China’s growing regional footprint. Shortly after she left the region, the United States announced that it would donate unused COVID-19 vaccines abroad, including to South-east Asia.

Impacts

• Washington will tighten its sanctions on the Myanmar military while supporting ASEAN’s five-point plan to ease the country’s crisis.
• The National Unity Government, a parallel administration to Myanmar’s junta set up by its opponents, will try to attract greater US backing.
• Manila and Washington may extend negotiations over renewing their Visiting Forces Agreement to prevent the pact expiring in August.