Washington, March 27 (IANS). Faced with China’s growing economic and diplomatic influence, US officials told senators that Southeast Asia and Africa will be central to Washington’s strategy in shaping the next phase of global competition.
At Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearings, nominees for top diplomatic posts outlined priorities related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the African Development Bank, and global education and cultural outreach, reflecting a broader effort to strengthen U.S. influence.
Kevin Kim, US Ambassador-nominee to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), described Southeast Asia as a strategic hub of global trade and security.
He said that South-East Asia is located on the sea routes through which one-third of global shipping passes every year. He also added that the US must ensure that the Indo-Pacific region remains “free and open”.
Kim stressed that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economies, with a combined GDP of nearly $4 trillion, are a major export market for US goods. The priority will be to ensure that the US remains the “first preferred partner” for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. It will also include expanding trade access, strengthening supply chains and shaping regional rules.
Kim argued that the US continues to have structural advantages, including being the leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI).
He said that we are still the largest provider of FDI in South-East Asia, and this helps to influence the economic policies of the region.
In the context of Africa, Ademola Adewale-Sadiq, the US nominee for executive director of the African Development Bank, said Washington should better use its role as a major shareholder to advance economic and strategic interests.
He said we are the second largest shareholder…and that should mean something and sought reforms to create more opportunities for American companies in development projects.
He described Africa as a long-term strategic front. He said Africa’s development represents the largest single expansion opportunity for global GDP, and argued that a stronger US involvement could benefit both the US and African economies.
–IANS
AY/ABM
