For many countries in Asia, US President Donald Trump has been Asia’s worst nightmare. His isolationist and protectionist America First policy has undermined the global trading system. He has slapped billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs on Chinese imports and other Asian countries. He has also abandoned or pulled out from many international treaties entered into by the previous administration including among others, the US-Iran nuclear deal, the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP, the Paris climate agreement, and the world health body, WHO.
The escalating tensions with China have also come at the expense of growth and prosperity of many other Asian countries which rely on these two economic giants to help power their economies.
But will Democratic candidate Joe Biden be any better? Will he continue former President Obama’s pivot to Asia policy of reengagement with the region or will he also pursue a more competitive course with China? What will be Asia’s choice of the US next President and what impact will it have on the region should either of the two Presidential candidates, Donald Trump or Joe Biden win the election?
——-
Website: https://cna.asia/cnainsider
