Pompeo says US not asking ASEAN allies to ‘choose’ on China

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted yesterday that Washington was not asking Southeast Asian nations to “choose” between his country and rival power China, as he trailed a rebooted security and trade strategy at a Bangkok summit. The denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, a bitter trade war between the superpowers and open access to contested seas dominated talks between Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asia’s top diplomats.
Pompeo is in Bangkok tasked with reassuring Asian allies that the US remains a key player in the region, as China builds up its military presence in disputed seas and airspace and cements its economic and political primacy across the region.
The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asia’s economies.
Pompeo and Wang shook hands and smiled before the brief talks.
Both later played down the rifts between their nations, with Wang describing the meeting as a “deep communication” that “has helped to increase our mutual understanding”.

Pompeo says US not asking ASEAN allies to choose on China

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted yesterday that Washington was not asking Southeast Asian nations to choose between his country and rival power China, as he trailed a rebooted security and trade strategy at a Bangkok summit. The denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, a bitter trade war between the superpowers and open access to contested seas dominated talks between Pompeo and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of a summit of Southeast Asias top diplomats. Pompeo is in Bangkok tasked with reassuring Asian allies that the US remains a key player in the region, as China builds up its military presence in disputed seas and airspace and cements its economic and political primacy across the region. The rivalry between the two superpowers is framed by a trade war that has cramped global growth and seeded uncertainty across Asias economies. Pompeo and Wang shook hands and smiled before the brief talks. Both later played down the rifts between their nations, with Wang describing the meeting as a deep communication that has helped to increase our mutual understanding.