Part 4/11:
Despite these summits, meaningful progress remains elusive. For instance, Malaysia’s rare earth exports to the U.S.—highly symbolic—were not fundamentally altered by recent agreements. Meanwhile, Vietnam emerges as a critical partner, boasting a workforce nearing 100 million and advanced technological capabilities, making it a potential hub for supply chain diversification. Yet, no substantial deal has been struck with Vietnam to date.
Northeast Asia: A Tale of Progress amid Demographic Despair
In contrast to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asian countries—namely South Korea and Japan—are engaged in more detailed negotiations with the U.S., driven largely by demographic crises.