Part 2/10:
Despite the ceremonial fanfare—comprised of smiles, red carpets, and multiple signed agreements—Xi's attempts to rally regional support have largely fallen short. Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia engaged with China on the surface but withheld substantial commitments. In Vietnam, for instance, Xi secured 45 agreements, mainly focused on China providing projects, such as the funding of railway infrastructure and the export of technology, while Vietnam's contributions remained minimal. In stark contrast, the U.S. is actively courting these countries with offers of market access conditional on tariff reciprocity, making American partnerships appealing.