When Southeast Asian leaders meet in Manila for the 49th ASEAN Summit, US President Donald Trump will be in the room, and Washington appears to see more at stake there than at the APEC meeting in Shenzhen that follows. According to CSIS, the US is looking to secure trade deals, expand the reach of American AI technology and strengthen regional ties, including through a Quad leaders’ meeting and talks with President Marcos. For New Zealand, now in its post-election caretaker period, the task is quieter but still important: staying visible and assuring partners that its commitments haven’t changed. Carla Teng-Westergaard reports from Manila.
