The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
SOUTHEAST ASIA
30% of global maritime trade runs through South China Sea. US is competing with China there.
WHAT US INVESTS
■ Promise to defend the Philippines, Australia ■ Military exercises in Thailand with several regional states ■ Freedom-of-movement exercises in South China Sea
WHAT IT GETS BACK
■ Basing rights in Singapore ■ Region friendlier to US, more leverage against China ■ Protect South China Sea trade worth $ 5.3 trillion (about 30% of global maritime trade), including $ 1.2 trillion in trade with US ■ Philippines, Australia promise to defend US