US steps up South and Southeast Asia energy push; DFC approves $1.5 billion for infrastructure

Washington, July 16 The Trump administration has announced that it is stepping up investments in South and Southeast Asia as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on China for critical supply chains, as the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) approved $1.5 billion for energy infrastructure across the region. The funding is aimed at supporting American liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports and energy equipment while strengthening supply chains in a region Washington considers strategically important amid growing competition with Beijing, officials said on Wednesday (local time). The announcement came during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on securing…