Rubio Reassures ASEAN of US Commitment Amid Crises, but Rising Energy Costs Dominate Concerns

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio concluded his first Southeast Asia trip as America’s top diplomat with a clear message: the United States will not let crises in Iran and Russia weaken its commitment to the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila, Rubio insisted that Washington has the capacity to remain engaged simultaneously in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia through its diplomatic, military, and economic presence.

However, for many Southeast Asian governments, reassurance alone may not suffice. The escalating standoff with Iran and attacks on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have raised immediate economic concerns. Dato Dr. Ilango Karuppannan, a veteran Malaysian diplomat and former ambassador, noted that the region’s anxiety now sits in the price of diesel, imported food, and electricity bills.

“The Iran crisis has amplified those concerns,” Karuppannan told RFE/RL. “A disruption in the Middle East can raise freight, fuel, and insurance costs across Southeast Asia within weeks.” He added that military deterrence does little to lower household electricity tariffs.

Rubio defended the administration’s hard line toward Tehran, arguing that Iran is unwilling to accept lasting agreements. He also reiterated Washington’s commitment to respond to attacks on commercial shipping. Meanwhile, he held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Ukraine and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the South China Sea.

ASEAN’s long-standing effort to avoid choosing sides between Washington and Beijing appears reinforced by the crisis. The region never formally adopted sanctions against Russia, and higher energy prices may further reduce appetite for similar measures. Marie Schroeter, former Philippines director of Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, said regional governments prioritize national economic interests over geopolitical alignment.

Rubio repeated that the United States remains committed to the Indo-Pacific. Few ASEAN governments question the value of US security engagement, but the larger question is whether security alone will sustain American influence. As Karuppannan put it, “This creates a risk for Washington. The US may remain militarily important while becoming less economically relevant.”

Article and image source: malaysiasun.com