Southeast Asians are increasingly aligning with the U.S. over China, according to the State of Southeast Asia 2025 survey. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, including the US-China trade war and Trump’s unpredictable policies, the region values a balanced approach to prevent historical power imbalances. We discuss the survey’s findings, the region’s growing focus on climate change, and the role of middle powers with Sharon Seah, Senior Fellow and Coordinator at the ASEAN Studies Centre and Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.

Other stories we covered:

• Americans react to Trump's tariffs: President Trump’s new tariffs, including a 24% tax on goods imported from Malaysia, have sparked a mix of reactions worldwide. While some see it as a strategic move to strengthen America’s bargaining power, others are concerned about the looming economic consequences, such as rising prices on everyday goods and the risk of a global recession. We spoke with political analyst Steve Okun to unpack how these tariffs could directly affect American consumers and workers.
• Call for temple oversight in Malaysia: The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has proposed creating a regulatory body to oversee Hindu temples in the country, including handling temple registration, land status, and disputes. The body would ensure better transparency and governance. We discuss the proposal with MHS secretary-general Vinayagamurthi Subramaniam.
• The rise of self-declared bankruptcies: Malaysia saw a doubling in voluntary bankruptcies last year as compares to 2023. While the Second Chance Policy allows bankrupts to be discharged within three years, financial experts warn it may be exploited as a legal loophole. We spoke with lawyer Gerald Samuel for his insights on the growing trend.
• Thousands flock to BookXcess for free books : In response to its upcoming store closure, BookXcess gave away 200,000 books in a free giveaway, attracting large crowds. While the event sparked discussions about reading habits, some questioned whether Malaysians only visit bookstores for free items. We covered this event and its impact on reading culture.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sharaad Kuttan, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs, Sudais Ferhard, Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Sharaad Kuttan, Dashran Yohan

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Tags:  southeast asia 2025 survey,  middle power,  goods tax,  bargaining power,  negotiation tactic,  american consumers,  malaysia hindu sangam,  malaysian hindu temple,  transparent governance,  self-declared bankruptcy,  second chance policy,  free books,  us-china trade war,  climate change,  global recession,  tariffs,  donald trump,  legal loopholes,  bookxcess,  big bad wolf,  giveaway,