This paper aims to understand the diplomatic strategy that the United States has taken in the Indo-Pacific region to combat China’s influence and analyzes how geopolitical tensions from China have changed their methodology. China’s influence over the Indo-Pacific continues to threaten the sovereignty of countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This is especially evident in Vietnam and the Philippines which will be the main focuses of this paper. To understand the U.S.’ methods for combating China, three main forms of diplomacy were analyzed: Trade, Defense aid, and Development aid.

This paper suggests that the current diplomatic methods that the U.S. takes have contributed to a competition between the U.S. and China for dominance in the region. As well as that China’s growing aggression over territory claims have led to stronger relations between the U.S., its allies, and ASEAN countries.

Photo Credit: “230523-N-NX635-1180” (CC BY-NC 2.0) by U.S. Pacific Fleet