Trump secures Indonesian rare earths, boosts military ties with Manila and strikes tariff agreements – but analysts say spillover impact on China to remain limited
The United States has struck new trade deals with Indonesia and the Philippines, in a move analysts say could indirectly undercut China by reshaping regional supply chains and tapping rare earth reserves – even if Beijing is not explicitly targeted.
“Having failed to secure direct wins against China on tariffs and export controls, [the US] has a stronger incentive to contain China in a more indirect manner, and the deals with Southeast Asian countries are examples of that tactic,” said Xu Tianchen, senior China economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
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