The European Union’s image in Southeast Asia has improved over the past year, including its reputation as a defender of free trade and international law, according to The State of Southeast Asia 2023 survey report published late this week
Brussels has cemented its place as the preferred “third party” that Southeast Asian nations want to engage with amid fractious US-China superpower rivalry in the region, while trust in the EU as an economic and political actor is also growing, the report said.
Almost 43% of the region’s respondents preferred the EU as an alternative partner, well ahead of Japan, the UK and India.
In full: https://www.dw.com/en/survey-eus-influence-surging-in-southeast-asia/a-64666700
