How Southeast Asia can realize its commercial promise amid geopolitical rivalry

Southeast Asia’s commercial potential is closely tied to its ability to remain open amid intensifying geopolitical rivalry. For companies, the region’s relationships across geopolitical divides create access to the markets, capital and technology of competing powers.

ASEAN’s cross-border advantage

That position gives Southeast Asia significance beyond its role as a regional marketplace. Maintaining connections with different powers allows companies operating in the region to engage with multiple sources of business opportunity, financing and technological capability.

The scale of investor interest was highlighted in 2025, when ASEAN attracted a record $243.9 billion in foreign direct investment. The figure underlines the region’s importance to international businesses and investors navigating a shifting global environment.

Openness is both commercial and geopolitical

Keeping Southeast Asia open for business is not solely an economic task. The region’s commercial relationships are also shaped by geopolitical considerations, making continued openness a strategic challenge.

Its ability to maintain links across divides is central to the value it offers companies. The same relationships that broaden access to markets, capital and technology also place the region within wider geopolitical competition.

The road ahead

Southeast Asia’s investment story therefore depends on more than attracting capital. Its commercial promise is linked to preserving the connections that make the region a bridge between competing powers. ASEAN’s record 2025 inflows show the strength of that position, while the geopolitical dimension highlights the importance of keeping it open.