Foreign policy expert says China watches US behavior toward European allies "with glee" behind closed doors at congressional briefing

Brookings Institution Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies Lynn Kuok discusses how China watched US behavior with respect to allies and partners in Europe with glee, pointing out to ASEAN behind closed doors that the United States could similarly be lacking in its commitment to Southeast Asian countries, while noting concerns about US activities in the trade realm including the position of tariffs or threats of tariffs on allies and partners which would be concerning for countries in the region with significant or major trade surpluses with the United States at a US-China Economic and Security Review Commission briefing on United States and Chinese relations with Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.