TRUMP TO SKIP ASEAN AND APAC SUMMITS
Move may raise concerns about US’ reliability as a counterweight to China
UNITED States President Donald Trump will skip two major summits in Asia in November, a move that could stoke concerns in the region about the US’ reliability as a counterweight to China.
The White House said on Friday US Vice-President Mike Pence would travel to Singapore for an Asean summit before heading to Papua New Guinea for an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) gathering. The Apec summit is normally attended by 21 leaders, including China President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
The decision removes a potential avenue for Trump to meet with Xi as a trade war between the US and China deepens.
The US is leaning towards a fresh round of tariffs against Chinese imports, this time for US$200 billion (RM823 billion) in goods, in what would mark a significant escalation.
Xi and Trump are expected to attend the Group of 20 summit in Argentina in November, though.
Trump’s absence is also likely to fuel concerns among Asian leaders who want the US to push back against China’s increasing economic and military might.
Trump administration officials have been promoting a new “Indo-Pacific” strategy to bolster its commitment to the fast-growing region, after Trump withdrew from the Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal and questioned the cost of security alliances with Japan and South Korea.
“His absence would doubtlessly solidify the impression that America has essentially abandoned its traditional presence in the Asia Pacific, not to mention the non-starter Indo-Pacific,” said Oh Ei Sun, senior adviser for international affairs at the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute in Kuala Lumpur.
Without Trump, Xi will have more space to advocate for Chinese trade and development projects, such as his ambitious Belt and Road Initiative.
“Symbolism matters. The Chinese have made gains when his predecessors have not attended,” tweeted author and commentator Gordon Chang.
Allies put their best face on Trump’s decision. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday Trump’s decision to tend to matters at home was understandable, adding that Pence “speaks with the authority of the president”.
The Asian summits come days after mid-term congressional elections, which may determine Trump’s ability to withstand investigations into Russian campaign interference and electionseason payments to alleged mistresses.
Collin Koh Swee Lean, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said recent efforts by American officials in the region should help offset Trump’s absence.
Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced US$300 million in regional security funding at an Asean meeting earlier this month, and the US military is among nine nations participating in the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training exercises in Singapore.