The Economic Reasons Behind the Policy Game Between China and the United States in Southeast Asia: An Analysis from the Perspectives of Trade and Trade Structure

The United States is the most influential country in Southeast Asia, while China, though starting later, is rapidly expanding its influence. In 2009, Chinas trade volume with ASEAN surpassed that of the United States, and since then, the U.S. has continuously introduced various policies in the Asia-Pacific region, attempting to curb Chinas growing influence. Changes in economic power are the main factors behind the policy game between China and the United States. This paper analyzes the economic reasons behind the geopolitical policy game between China and the United States in the Asia-Pacific region by comparing the changes in trade volume and trade structure between China, the U.S., and ASEAN.