The US and Southeast Asia: Vice President Kamala Harris visits Singapore and Vietnam
What happened?
On 23 August, Kamala Harris, during her visit to Southeast Asia said: "In our meeting, I underlined the United States' commitment to working with our allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific to preserve the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea."

On the same day, the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "Prime Minister Lee and Vice President Harris reaffirmed Singapore's and the United States' long-standing and multifaceted partnership. As they commemorate the 55th anniversary of Singapore-US ties, they also welcomed the announcement of new areas of cooperation.

What is the background?
First, a brief background to Kamala Harris' visit to Southeast Asia. Her visit to Singapore and Vietnam is aimed at improving ties and increasing economic cooperation with the US' two most important Indo-Pacific allies. The meeting with leaders from both countries discussed matters of shared concern, such as regional security, the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and cooperative efforts to establish a rules-based international order. Harris also confirmed and celebrated the US and these countries' strong cultural and people-to-people links.

Second, the growing US concerns in Southeast Asia. The region claims to have a long history of critical security and economic relations with the US and is strategically important. Despite this, the United States has been oblivious to the region's needs and economic potential for nearly two decades. President Biden and Vice President Harris have made it a priority to strengthen their global connections and keep the country safe. This trip will help them deepen their engagement in Southeast Asia. 

Third, the China factor. Vice President Harris accused Beijing of undermining the rules-based order and spoke out against its claims to control a significant part of the South China Sea, a statement she repeated in Vietnam. 

Fourth, the US efforts to strengthen its ties with the ASEAN. As a regional economic bloc, ASEAN plays a vital role in the Indo-Pacific plans of the US. Kamala Harris reaffirmed that the US believes that ASEAN should lead efforts to resolve the crisis in the country. ASEAN's diplomacy on Myanmar has moved at a glacial pace thus far. This acceptance of ASEAN's central role is vital to governments in the region, which are concerned about the intensifying rivalry between the US and China, as well as the dominance of the so-called 'Quad,' the new strategic partnership between the United States, Australia, Japan, and India, in the US diplomacy.

What does it mean?
The high profile visit underlines the importance of Southeast Asia as a region, and ASEAN as an economic bloc, to American interests. While the region has always played an important role in the US calculations, the new Indo-Pacific push makes it even more significant. As could be derived from the statements of Kamala Harris, China assumes large for the US in the region.