SINGAPORE, April 7 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- About 52 per cent of Southeast Asian respondents identified US leadership under Donald Trump as their top geopolitical concern, followed closely by 51.4 per cent who cited global scam operations, an annual survey released on Tuesday showed, reported Xinhua.
Among those anticipating a deterioration in ties with Washington, 38.5 per cent said the United States should place greater emphasis on respecting international law and institutions, according to the State of Southeast Asia 2026 survey report by the ASEAN Studies Centre at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
The survey involved 2,008 Southeast Asians. Climate change and extreme weather events were identified as the region’s most pressing challenge, with 60 per cent of respondents highlighting their increasing economic and social impact.
On regional integration, respondents pointed mainly to domestic constraints. About 30.2 per cent cited limited technocratic capacity, while 30.1 per cent pointed to uneven economic development. Geopolitical pressures were flagged by 27.5 per cent as a key impediment, while lack of political will was considered the least significant barrier, at 12.1 per cent.
“This year’s survey underscores the growing complexity of Southeast Asia’s strategic environment. The findings show a region navigating external pressures, internal constraints, and shifting global dynamics with increasing caution,” said Ng Chee Khern, director and chief executive officer of the institute.
-- BERNAMA-XINHUA
