The Trump Administration’s Asia policy: from trade to strategic affairs, asserting US influence without a strategy?

Abstract

The Trump Administration claims to establish fair trade relationships, particularly with China, and reducing the trade deficit is the stated indicator of that policy. However regional strategic issues come to bear on the economic agenda as a result of China’s historical relationship with North Korea. While working to strengthen its alliance with Seoul and Tokyo, the U.S. hopes Beijing will respond to ward off the North Korean danger. Trump’s unpredictability and the absence of an apparent regional strategy at this stage generate much uncertainty. Whereas Japan remains a key component of the U.S. leadership in Asia-Pacific and a key economic partner after the announced withdrawal from the TPP, America’s policy on China and an efficient sanction regime on North Korea will be decisive for both stability and trade