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| Government |
| Trump could make Obama's pivot to Asia a reality |
| 2017-01-10 |
| [IN MILITARY] Public discussion of Donald Trump’s foreign policy has focused on the fight against terrorism and the U.S. relationship with Russia, and since the election the president-elect has nominated no one with Asia expertise to a senior position in his administration. That’s fueled concern among U.S. Pacific allies about where the region will stand among White House priorities during the next four years. Behind the scenes, however, the Trump transition is preparing its own pivot to Asia. As the team that will implement that policy takes shape, what’s emerging is an approach that harkens back to past Republican administrations -- but also seeks to actualize the Obama administration’s ambition of enhancing the U.S. presence in the region. Transition officials say the Trump administration will take a hawkish view of China, focus on bolstering regional alliances, have a renewed interest in Taiwan, be skeptical of engagement with North Korea and bolster the U.S. Navy’s fleet presence in the Pacific. There are signs that Asia will in fact be a top focus of key officials. Rex Tillerson, Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, has been raising his concerns about China in meetings with senators in recent days. Attendees told me he is particularly clear about what he sees as the need to counter Chinese militarization and expansion in the South China Sea. Transition sources also said Stephen K. Bannon, Trump’s chief strategist, is keenly interested in Asia strategy. A former Naval officer in the Pacific Fleet, Bannon and other top Trump officials believe that President Obama’s Asia pivot largely failed due to what they see as insufficient defense spending during his administration, which undermined its promise to increase U.S. military power in the region. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |