Nuclear Reactors: The New Battlefield for US and China in Southeast Asia

Nuclear reactor exports are emerging as a key front in the strategic rivalry between the United States and China. As Southeast Asian nations seek cleaner energy sources, both superpowers are racing to secure contracts to build nuclear power plants in the region. For countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, these deals mean access to advanced technology and long-term energy partnerships. For Washington and Beijing, each reactor sold represents influence, economic leverage, and a foothold in a geopolitically vital area. This competition is reshaping energy alliances and adding a new layer of tension to the broader US-China contest.