Challenges and Uncertainty in US-China Relations

The US's economic framework, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), faces challenges due to the inward-looking approach to free trade and stringent demands. Southeast Asian governments are urged to reassess their economic agendas and engage with alternative trade agreements. Chinese President Xi Jinping should focus on courting neighboring countries to improve China's geopolitical position. The suspension of the IPEF trade pillar is seen as a disappointment for Asian countries. The US's domestic politics are the biggest source of uncertainty for future China-US relations.