U.S. under Trump Series: President Trump’s first trip to Asia begins tomorrow

President Trump is set to begin his third large foreign trip and this time in Asia, where he will be meeting key U.S. allies as well as competing countries like China. From November 3rd to November 14th, Trump will travel to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Philippines and will make a stop in Hawaii on his way back. While in Asia, in addition to his bilateral meetings, Trump will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting (APEC) as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit (ASEAN).

The main agendas include Trade talks with a focus on ‘American First’, reign on North Korea and countering China’s growing influence in the region. This trip is anything but simple, because,

• In South Korea and Japan, President Trump will have to convince its traditional and the two biggest Asia partners that America First will not necessarily be harmful to countries like Japan and South Korea, both of which enjoy a very large trade surpluses with the United States. In addition to that, Trump will have to convince these two partners of the effectiveness of current strategy on North Korea as they run the biggest risk if DPRK retaliates with military force.
   
• In China, the task is even more difficult as Trump will pressure Xi Jinping to reign on North Korea, while his administration continues a crackdown on Chinese imports. U.S. Commerce Department has launched several investigations into China’s trade practices and introduced several countervailing duties that in cases are way more than 100 percent.
   
• In Vietnam, where the ties improved under the Obama administration, he would have to convince the government in Hanoi that the United States is a reliable partner to reign on China’s growing influence in the waters around Vietnam. Vietnam has been upset with U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and would be looking forward to a generous trade agreement.
   
• In the Philippines, challenges are even more difficult as the country’s ties with the United States soured under the previous Obama administration and the country has since moved closer to China’s camp.

Finally, Trump will have the opportunity to meet with leaders and representatives of 21 Pacific Rim member countries at the APEC summit and with leaders and representatives of 10 member countries at the ASEAN summit.