South-east Asia's economic resilience relies on tighter regional integration and strategic engagement with external partners, experts say [1]. The global economic environment is increasingly unsettled, with risks such as disruptions in the Middle East affecting shipping routes alongside wider geopolitical tensions [1].
Businesses within ASEAN are confronting growing volatility, rising cost pressures, and shifting market conditions that challenge stability [1]. They depend heavily on reliable market access and confidence that rules, international law, and open trade will ensure a stable operating environment [1].
However, the United States, once considered a key defender of the rules-based order, no longer offers the same level of reassurance according to the State of Southeast Asia 2026 Survey, which polled 2,008 respondents across the region [1]. This shift underscores the urgency for ASEAN economies to enhance their own integration and diversify partnerships.
The survey findings highlight how economic actors in Southeast Asia must adapt to a fragmented global economy where traditional supports are less certain. Strengthening internal trade links and cooperating with multiple external partners are seen as essential steps.
Further steps are expected as ASEAN continues discussions on expanding economic cooperation and addressing vulnerabilities exposed by disruptions in global shipping and geopolitical frictions. The coming months could see new agreements or initiatives aimed at bolstering regional economic ties amid ongoing global uncertainty.
