Caught in the Crossfire

Podcast created by: Munkhdelger Myagmar and Drake Pierce This podcast episode explores the underreported impact of the U.S.-China trade war on smaller ASEAN economies such as Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, and others. While the global spotlight remained on the economic titans, ASEAN nations deeply integrated into global value chains navigated both challenges and opportunities stemming from trade diversion, foreign direct investment shifts, and political uncertainty. Drawing on research including computer simulations and bilateral trade studies, the episode highlights Vietnam's emergence as a manufacturing hub, the risks of overdependence on China, and the broader implications for regional policy. Through a comparative lens, the discussion underscores the need for strategic diversification, infrastructure development, and multilateral cooperation as ASEAN economies reshape their roles in a fragmented global trade environment.