Southeast Asian nations continue to view the European Union (EU) as a trusted "third party" to hedge against US-China rivalry, though analysts argue Brussels needs stronger political engagement to convert goodwill into real strategic clout. According to the latest State of Southeast Asia survey by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, 37.7% of respondents identified the EU as ASEAN's preferred and trusted strategic partner, up from 36.3% last year. The EU also ranked as the main champion of the global free trade agenda for 19.2% of respondents, ahead of the United States but behind ASEAN and China.

The survey found that 55.9% of respondents trust the EU to "do the right thing" in contributing to global peace, security, prosperity, and governance, an increase from 51.9% last year, while distrust fell from 27.8% to 22.3%. Lead researcher Melinda Martinus noted that Southeast Asian confidence in the EU is "growing but remains limited, anchored more in its normative appeal than in its strategic weight." The EU is ASEAN's third-largest trading partner and second-largest source of foreign direct investment, but lingering doubts about its internal unity and ability to act decisively on the global stage constrain its actual impact.

Analysts say the partnership with the EU in Southeast Asia is shifting from primarily economic or normative to more strategic, driven by waning confidence in US leadership and persistent concerns about China's growing influence. The survey identified respondents' top geopolitical concern as US leadership under President Donald Trump, whose unilateral and unpredictable foreign policy purportedly pushes the EU and ASEAN countries to diversify ties quickly. However, the EU has faced criticism for failing to send senior officials to key ASEAN meetings, such as a digital ministers' gathering in Vietnam attended by US, Chinese, and Russian representatives, raising questions about its commitment.

Next year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations, offering Brussels a clear opportunity to demonstrate that its Indo-Pacific ambitions extend beyond rhetoric. EU-ASEAN Business Council Executive Director Chris Humphrey highlighted areas for deeper cooperation, including EU support for the ASEAN Power Grid and energy transition, alongside closer high-level engagement on digital issues. He stated, "Europe really does need to step up to the plate more and demonstrate publicly that it takes the relationship seriously, wants to deepen it, and work with ASEAN on areas of mutual interest, of which there are many."

Source: www.dw.com