[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6207042,"mediaKeyId","3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613","parentId",3759685,"title","Experts urge stepped‑up U.S. maritime support after Philippines standoff in South China Sea","audioSeconds",1186,"startMs",1026000,"endMs",2212000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613&start=1026&end=2212","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613/thumbnail_1026000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6207042/Experts-urge-steppedup-US-maritime-support-after-Philippines-standoff-in-South-China-Sea","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207042-06aba0bbe2db28f069810539cef75f92/orig.mp4?Expires=1775286697&Signature=XcVWYyc-128UOK5A5ql11hRCbC5ynwQA4HK6yR1NZR7g0cXVXqJ5yY6TYz5EDkxWxYQGtBwyxknNPNMXY7l9a8EfhGG3j-ibNTO3j5q9oP9ExJRldEspkEO~r6bp3Mgbfuzm7v3~K7ziqtUluhcjM6d7dI~5m15IRd90QqcY2sHeBbd11MgcIy6kMUyx7c0s6Ke~a7vBMVZlh69WnG0Bfd8uCi4ln4EESKXGyOpZ-0qlinqgy0w3yKnR1J-G6pwsEab4yhX4~Htdb7fiNV3GEWR6SSibCW8j8r5TGXIZN-uMGEnEh~303u1hIB1FTgAd80sgs3~rsf3lsswE3k8I6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs","date","2025-06-11T08:26:57.927Z","article","Gregory Poling told the subcommittee that recent incidents in the South China Sea, including a prolonged Philippines effort to resupply and repair the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal, illustrate the limits of small‑state maritime capacity against China’s coercive gray‑zone tactics.

“The Philippines engaged in a nearly year and a half long standoff with China from 2023 to 2024 in order to resupply and repair its facility, the BRP Sierra Madre on Second Thomas Shoal,” Poling said. “By December 2023, The Philippines was sailing 2 to 3 ships up against 50 Chinese vessels, didn't blink … and it was China that blinked, not The Philippines.”

Poling and members used the episode to press for more maritime and coast‑guard support that does not necessarily mean U.S. boots on the ground but does include funding, forward‑deployed cutters, uncrewed platforms and capacity building for partner navies and coast guards.

Representative Mackenzie and other members asked about sites such as Subic Bay and what capabilities should be prepositioned. Poling recommended asymmetric capabilities for frontline states — citing missile and long‑range strike pairings and shore‑based systems — and said increased uncrewed platforms, “more cheap vessels,” and basing support for partners would enhance deterrence.

The role of the U.S. Coast Guard featured prominently. Poling and members said the Coast Guard is a strategic instrument in addressing gray‑zone coercion through training, presence and ship‑riding arrangements in some Pacific jurisdictions. Poling cautioned the Coast Guard is stretched thin and emphasized funding as the primary constraint to expanded engagement.

Why it matters: Witnesses framed maritime capacity and law‑enforcement cooperation as essential to preserving freedom of navigation and upholding international law in the face of coercion. They urged Congress to consider sustained funding for security sector assistance roadmaps and Coast Guard deployments that build partner capacity without requiring American ground forces.

The subcommittee closed without formal votes but requested additional materials from witnesses and flagged maritime funding and assistance as priorities for follow‑up work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Building Bridges, Countering Rivals: Strengthening U.S.-ASEAN Ties to Combat Chinese Influence","oneSentenceSummary","Witnesses and members at a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing said increased maritime capacity‑building, Coast Guard funding and partner basing support are essential after the Philippines’ extended resupply standoff at Second Thomas Shoal.","taxTitle","Foreign Affairs: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1826,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6207047,"Lawmakers and witnesses warn U.S. tariff moves and trade gaps risk ceding economic ground in ASEAN",915,553000,1468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613&start=553&end=1468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613/thumbnail_553000.jpg","/articles/6207047/Lawmakers-and-witnesses-warn-US-tariff-moves-and-trade-gaps-risk-ceding-economic-ground-in-ASEAN","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207047-7f949ce74434b7530140c39b8b3ae981/orig.mp4?Expires=1775286697&Signature=R2jdt~VktdI8AKlX4ZcbtVkF2JKvSdNYf49ec1oeC6y9znbTM8H2y1HPOPry2Z9v4ZvtaoFjwsV~cgG~a0Xz~~c4Uh-U1e7cDdAwbUQxhGqI~oK5K6rsu~f84bNySEqIUsw7JiRnr95qyTF1DvSh~LYjP5Mug~ukf0U-kSpzyqaRh8KebBH~9NMTNX9z6gDTUc74fKnAfckbkAvFspHUfTxng6GeQgDpM5Qd7CW3M48prXm1WJ1WvSX4c6cCDkD~v6n02F4H9i0-XABUTY-Sz70y59syX2ecZ-VXfMgzJdkWiQrCzarw65ybU00ExyRKGEgm-JKLxg8jRGheCpM5FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ranking Member Barra and witnesses told the subcommittee that U.S. trade measures and uneven economic engagement risk pushing ASEAN countries closer to China unless Washington offers predictable, reciprocal economic partnerships.

“I wanna thank the witnesses for being here on what is the timely conversation in an important region, Southeast Asia,” Ranking Member Barra said, stressing that the choices Congress makes about trade and partnerships matter to a region of “more than 650,000,000 people.”

Panelists described immediate political and economic consequences from recent U.S. tariff moves and aid pauses. “ASEAN countries stood to benefit directly from these diversification efforts … But the U.S. imposition of tariffs has created anger and confusion in ASEAN regarding their relations with The United States,” Barbara Weisel, nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, testified. She said tariffs have driven some countries to accept closer economic ties with China and recommended a strategy based on “carrots, not just sticks.”

Key economic themes and proposals from testimony:
- Trade architecture: Witnesses criticized the withdrawal from the Trans‑Pacific Partnership and said the Indo‑Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) lacked meaningful market access. Weisel recommended pursuing targeted, modular agreements that include market access in key sectors and layering commitments to create a regional framework. “IPEF … was in my view more of a political agreement than an economic agreement,” Weisel said.
- Digital trade: Weisel and Dr. Lynn Kuok urged the U.S. to lead on digital‑trade rules before alternative models become entrenched. Kuok warned that “once those norms, the technology and the norms are embedded, it becomes quite difficult to reverse.”
- Critical minerals and supply chains: Witnesses noted China’s dominant position in refining and processing for metals important to batteries and defense. Weisel pointed to Japan’s approach to diversifying supplies as a model and urged negotiating trusted critical‑minerals agreements with select ASEAN partners.
- Development finance and aid: Members and witnesses urged full funding and reauthorization of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), reauthorization of the Export‑Import Bank, and consistent USAID funding. Representative Amo of Rhode Island noted, “In the 3 and a half years of the Biden administration alone, the DFC advanced over $1,400,000,000 in private sector investments in the ASEAN countries.”

Panelists emphasized predictability and reciprocity. Several members and witnesses said ASEAN countries want trade and investment arrangements that provide market access in return for policy commitments. They warned that unilateral U.S. tariff measures and abrupt aid changes undermine that trust.

The subcommittee asked witnesses for follow‑up materials and signaled interest in drafting legislation or funding proposals to implement several of the ideas discussed, including digital trade chapters, customs cooperation initiatives, targeted critical‑minerals agreements, and sustained funding for DFC and Ex‑Im Bank.","Ranking Member Barra and witnesses told the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that U.S. tariff actions and limited market access risk pushing ASEAN countries closer to China unless Congress acts to offer predictable economic partnerships.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6207052,"Subcommittee hearing urges whole‑of‑government U.S. strategy to counter China in ASEAN",4737,262000,4999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613&start=262&end=4999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3759685-cde6f2b32139a838dd06bf5649d94613/thumbnail_262000.jpg","/articles/6207052/Subcommittee-hearing-urges-wholeofgovernment-US-strategy-to-counter-China-in-ASEAN","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6207052-410443f3dde075dacd9718677fbfcdb7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775286697&Signature=eQV9~c8eqXHO9e5F4iLeV5yFhbRBnRHk~p2J2yLOQJyhLFdDdK3RftyEtpbeC79mtoiQ3JNMGQc-26iiRe4w0McNH8XTUNd8C-BWcJlVbmFCxuorHehCu1q90kPx2JQS4J0ocSLNiH0QLKRoztpf66CI2-57NRbYA9JpU63K4XO7zwgUkS1GBPMpk~aNB7C0tplIkc89-~GNj5UdyVMZgSYF0Zh-l4hbAhqgCiqz014RVz3lJeZiwNVMg7sgyvRa35wRYpz8C6UQC2xLkQ0FPRgNFnQgBtoC7FalMZ8~YRtiDZGl4DBG4PbQHfL8Cw3lddx2KL4s5pKbcPiwUySkhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairwoman Kim opened a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing on U.S. engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, urging a coordinated approach to counter China’s influence.

“This hearing presents an opportunity for us to examine China's growing footprint in ASEAN and to discuss ways The US can counter it by strengthening cooperation across economic, security, diplomatic, and law enforcement sectors,” Chairwoman Kim said in her opening statement.

The panel of outside experts told the subcommittee the United States retains advantages in trust and security cooperation but risks losing ground without a clearer, sustained strategy. “China seeks to control all activity, peacetime, and military in clear violation of international law,” said Gregory Poling, director and senior fellow, Southeast Asia program, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, Center for Strategic and International Studies. “We have to be the preferred partner, not just the partner that one has to side with,” Dr. Lynn Kuok, Lee Kuan Yew Chair in Southeast Asia Studies at the Brookings Institution, added.

Why it matters: ASEAN is a large and growing economic and strategic region. Witnesses and members cited public‑opinion polling and trade figures to argue that economic engagement, not only security ties, will determine long‑term influence. Chairwoman Kim and witnesses repeatedly recommended a “whole‑of‑government” posture that aligns diplomatic, development, defense and trade tools to offer ASEAN durable alternatives to Chinese offers.

Key points from the hearing:
- Security cooperation remains a U.S. strength. Poling and others highlighted maritime capacity‑building with the Philippines and other partners as a concrete area where the U.S. has successfully pushed back against coercion.
- Economic engagement is viewed as lagging. Panelists criticized past U.S. efforts such as the Trans‑Pacific Partnership withdrawal and described the Indo‑Pacific Economic Framework as politically useful but limited without market access.
- Soft‑power and people‑to‑people ties matter. Dr. Kuok and others warned that pauses to student visas and exchange programs can erode long‑term influence.
- Institutional and financing tools were emphasized: reauthorizing and funding the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Export‑Import Bank and USAID programs; negotiating targeted trade and critical‑minerals agreements; and pursuing digital trade rules that align ASEAN with U.S. practices rather than alternate models.

Witnesses urged that U.S. strategies be responsive to ASEAN priorities so that partnership is seen as reciprocal rather than transactional. “We need a bold whole of government strategy … that affirms our leadership, reinforces our alliances, and upholds the sovereignty and rules based order that underpins a free and open Indo Pacific,” Chairwoman Kim said.

The subcommittee accepted written statements for the record and reserved five days for members to submit additional questions; members said they expect follow‑up work on legislative and funding items discussed during the hearing.","House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee members and outside experts at a hearing said the United States must adopt a coordinated, whole‑of‑government approach—economic, security, diplomatic and law‑enforcement—to remain the partner of choice in Southeast Asia and blunt growing Chinese influence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Experts urge stepped‑up U.S. maritime support after Philippines standoff in South China Sea

Lawmakers and witnesses warn U.S. tariff moves and trade gaps risk ceding economic ground in ASEAN

Subcommittee hearing urges whole‑of‑government U.S. strategy to counter China in ASEAN