US pledges ‘enduring engagement’ in Asia

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to troops as she visits the USS Tulsa in Singapore yesterday.

Vice President Kamala Harris vowed “enduring engagement” in Asia yesterday, offering reassurances of Washington’s commitment to the region even as the US completes its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover.The Afghan debacle has cast a shadow over the US’ status as a global superpower.But on a visit to Singapore, her first stop on a trip that will also include Vietnam, Harris repeatedly insisted that Washington could be depended on.“Our administration is committed to enduring engagement in Singapore, into Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific,” Harris told a press conference alongside Singapore’s leader.“The reason I am here is because the US is a global leader, and we take that role seriously.”But she dodged questions about whether US credibility had been damaged by the Afghan debacle, saying her government’s focus was on “evacuating American citizens, Afghans who worked with us and vulnerable Afghans, including women and children”.Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomed the vice president’s reassurances and said Singapore was offering a military aircraft to help in the evacuation from Kabul airport overseen by the US army.US President Joe Biden’s administration is seeking to reset relationships in Asia after the turbulent Trump era, and project Washington as a stabilising force in the face of growing Chinese aggression.Harris is also facing criticism for being tone-deaf in going ahead with a visit to Vietnam as US forces struggle to evacuate tens of thousands of people.Southeast Asia is seen as critically important at a time China is challenging US political sway and naval dominance in the region.Washington has repeatedly criticised Beijing’s expansive claims to almost the entire flashpoint South China Sea, which overlaps with the claims of several Southeast Asian states and Taiwan.At yesterday’s press conference, Harris reiterated US commitment to “uphold the rules-based international order and freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea”.After arriving at the weekend, Harris began her official engagements yesterday by holding talks with Lee as the US and Singapore signed agreements on combating cyber threats, climate change, and the coronavirus pandemic.She was formally welcomed at the president’s official residence, inspected a guard of honour and was presented with an orchid named after her, a typical honour for a visiting dignitary.Harris also visited a naval base and addressed US sailors aboard the visiting USS Tulsa warship.Singapore and the US have strong and long-standing security ties.The city-state also has good relations with Beijing, and its leaders have warned the US against taking too tough a line towards China.Harris will today give a speech laying out Washington’s vision for the region and meet with business leaders to discuss supply chain issues, particularly a microchip shortage that has hit the auto industry.She departs for Hanoi today evening.