Singapore fears Asean may need to choose between US, China

(Nov 16): Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that Southeast Asian nations may one day have to choose between the US and China, as concerns deepen about a Cold War-style conflict between the world’s biggest economies.

“The circumstances may come where Asean will have to choose one or the other,” Lee said on Thursday night at the close of a regional summit hosted by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. “I hope it does not happen soon.”

Lee’s remarks reflect fears among smaller nations that the US-China trade war could disrupt supply chain integration throughout Asia, leading to different sets of rules for operating with either powerhouse. Earlier this month, former US Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson warned of an “Economic Iron Curtain” dividing the world if the two countries can’t reach a deal.

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