Trump’s Asia-Pacific Visit: An Ineffective Attempt to Regain U.S. Initiative in the Region
Trump’s Asia-Pacific Visit: An Ineffective Attempt to Regain U.S. Initiative in the Region

Author(s): Marcin Przychodniak
Subject(s): Economic policy, International relations/trade, Geopolitics
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Donald Trump; US foreign policy
Summary/Abstract: U.S. policy towards the Asia-Pacific region can be characterised by its many, sometimes contradictory, actions. The U.S. pulled out of the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), signalling decreasing economic engagement in Asia, and presents a variable stance on China. However, the increased U.S. military presence in the region suggests a possible attack on North Korea. The unpredictability of current U.S. policy worries its Asian partners. During President Donald Trump’s visit to Asia-Pacific countries, he failed to convince them that the U.S. is ready for greater engagement in the region and as a counterbalance to China. For the American president, the key point of his trip was talks with China, which appears not to have compromised on trade issues or North Korea.

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