'Perspectives' is a Telum Media submitted article series, where diverse viewpoints spark thought-provoking conversations about the role of the media, PR and communications in today's world. This Perspectives piece was submitted by Iain Twine, Partner, Singapore And Southeast Asia at FGS Global.

The way Southeast Asian media covers the U.S. elections tells us more about our own region's fears and aspirations than it does about American politics. We undertook a sentiment and data analysis of over 1,000 articles from the past five days across Southeast Asia that reveals a fascinating tapestry of concerns, hopes and even a prophecy from a famous hippo.

What strikes me most is how the coverage reflects our region's pragmatic approach to geopolitics. While the Western media might focus on ideological battles, Southeast Asian newsrooms are laser-focused on practical implications. Take the Philippines, where nearly one-fifth of the coverage centered on immigration concerns - a telling priority for a nation where remittances from overseas workers form a crucial economic lifeline.

The spectre of tariffs haunts our regional coverage like a persistent ghost. Thai exporters are holding their breath, and across ASEAN, there's an 8.4 per cent share of coverage dedicated to tariff concerns. This isn't just business news; it's about real anxieties over rice exports, manufacturing jobs and economic stability.

But what's particularly intriguing is how different nations frame their vulnerabilities. Malaysia's media obsesses over maintaining U.S. foreign direct investment, while Singapore, true to form, maintains its diplomatic equilibrium with coverage focused on strategic relationship management regardless of electoral outcomes.

The emergence of new themes also deserves attention. The intersection of COP29, ASEAN policies, and Trump's potential return garnered significant coverage, showing how climate change has become inextricable from geopolitical discussions. Meanwhile, Indonesia's unique cocktail of concerns – mixing cryptocurrency trends with Gaza conflict coverage and domestic politics under President Prabowo – demonstrates how U.S. elections become prisms through which we view our own national narratives.

Perhaps the most revealing is the 7.2 per cent coverage dedicated to Asian American voters. This isn't just distant observation; it's recognition of the region's diaspora growing influence in shaping policies that will eventually ripple back to our shores.

The financial markets' response garnered significant attention (8.2 per cent), but what's fascinating is the ambivalence in this coverage - a mix of relief and concern that perfectly encapsulates Southeast Asia's complicated relationship with U.S. power.

And then there's Hippo Moo Deng's prediction of Trump's victory - a quirky story that garnered 2.2% of coverage. While some might dismiss this as trivial, I'd argue it represents something deeper: our region's ability to blend serious political analysis with cultural touchstones that resonate locally.

What's clear from this analysis is that the Southeast Asian media isn't just passively reporting on the U.S. elections - we're actively interpreting them through our own complex web of regional interests, economic dependencies, and cultural perspectives. Our analysis reveals a sophisticated understanding that whoever occupies the White House will affect everything from our export markets to our environmental policies.

As we continue to navigate these uncertain political waters, this multifaceted coverage serves as a reminder: in Southeast Asia, U.S. elections aren't just about American democracy - they're about our own future in an increasingly interconnected world.