Veracity and Fiction in Trump's New Asia Policy

  Veracity and Fiction in Trump's New Asia Policy

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

November 7, 2017

 Translation of an Excerpt

All spotlights have focused on the North Korea question and trade issues in Trump's five-nation Asia tour; however, in so far as Asian allies of the United States are concerned, they are most concerned about how Trump is going to erect a new U.S. policy toward Asia. Because since Trump came to office, under the big banner of "America first," he has jettisoned the "rebalancing to Asia" policy and the TPP economic strategy of the Obama era, and after that, the United States has not had a clear-cut Asia policy. This has left the Asia allies of the United States in a state of disarray and bewilderment; one after another, they are utilizing Trump's tour to inquire about the new route of U.S. Asia policy.

Strategic ambiguity and tactical clarity seem to be the main characteristics of Trump's new Asia policy, and how to resolve the North Korea question and reduce the U.S. trade deficit are two primary goals. Under the ambiguous strategy, it seems that bringing in Mainland China to pressure North Korea, and at the same time, jointly containing Mainland China by the United States and Japan could coexist; while parity in military alliance, as well as pay-to-play, have become the new mode of interaction between the United States and its Asian allies.

Nevertheless, there is no free lunch; Japan and South Korea have scrambled to offer huge economic gifts, the stage has revolved to US-China relations. Allies are watching, after Trump arrives in Beijing, how Trump is going to pressure Mainland China on the North Korea question. Because that is precisely the crux to vet the veracity and fiction of Trump's new Asia policy.

Attachment : none