Is Trump’s Myanmar, Laos travel ban a blow to US-Southeast Asia ties?
Observers say closed channel over terrorist threat ‘illogical’ and a setback to long-standing relations with affected countries
US President Donald Trump’s travel ban on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others to guard against so-called foreign terrorists is a “nonsensical” bid, observers have warned, adding it could have wide-ranging consequences in Southeast Asia, with the rule covering Myanmar and Laos.
One concern raised is how the ban would close an escape valve from two of the poorest nations in the region, especially for Myanmar, which is torn by conflict, thereby worsening the violence and any spillover effects. The overall result would inevitably also push the region into China’s orbit, analysts suggest.
Myanmar is among the countries affected by the full travel ban, with the others in the category comprising Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Laos, meanwhile, falls under the roster of seven other nations hit with heightened restrictions, together with Burundi, Cuba, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Trump announced the policy last week in a video, following a firebombing attack in Colorado linked to an Egyptian national, which is noteworthy since Egypt is not on the list of banned countries. He insisted the policy was necessary for national security. The rule came into force on Monday.
His new travel ban revives a controversial policy from his first term that saw the restriction of entry from predominantly Muslim countries – one he had promised to restore in his presidential campaign last year.