Speaking on the ASEAN Wonk podcast, Ratner acknowledged that Washington’s approach in the Indo-Pacific has been marked by some continuity in policy, particularly as regards its alliance with the Philippines.

“That’s because the Philippines has been much more aligned on the China challenge than much of the rest of Southeast Asia—at least publicly,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the US was also breaking away from certain norms, citing in particular a much stronger push for allies and partners to increase defence spending and take on greater strategic responsibilities.

With the Trump administration working toward a new Indo-Pacific blueprint, Ratner said Washington must incorporate diplomacy, aid and economic incentives to achieve its goals in the region.

He said the US recognises the geopolitical realities and was not looking to force Southeast Asian nations into choosing its side over China.

“The United States is not aspiring to somehow flip them into a US ally like Japan or Australia,” he said, adding that it would be unrealistic to expect countries like Indonesia and Malaysia to take on an anti-China stance.

Ratner said the US must recognise China’s cultural, historical, economic and geopolitical presence in the region.

“These countries are going to have some degree of military and defence cooperation with the (People’s Liberation Army). That is natural and should be okay.

“The United States needs to achieve its objectives within that (reality),” he said.

Ratner said the US’s goal must be a “free and open Indo-Pacific” with global access to trade, technology, ideas, people and military engagement.

Although acknowledging that there was some skepticism towards the US in the region, Ratner was confident that nations in the Asean  bloc were not looking to become “satellites of a China-led order”—whether in the short or long term.

However, he warned that the present instability in the Middle East could distract Washington from maintaining a strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific.

While shifting military assets to the Middle East may be legitimate, Ratner said the US must decide how much weight it intends to give to Indo-Pacific defence.

The US is an Asean dialogue partner.

Asean is expected to discuss regional security and economic cooperation during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conferences in Kuala Lumpur from July 8 to 11.