Trump's Asia Trip Proves The Increasing Irrelevance Of The US
Early on in the Trump administration, it was already clear that Trump was incapable of a coherent foreign policy and his erratic and destructive behavior was forcing our allies to re-examine their relationship with the US, signaling the end of the “American Century”.
That process has been taking place all over the world. Australia implemented a complete review and refocus of their foreign policy based on the assumption that America was in retreat and China would become the dominant force in Asia. The European Union no longer considers the US as “friend” and is looking to move forward without the US and the UK as a partner.
Now, in an almost immediate indication of the failure of Trump’s Asia trip and a reflection of foreign leaders’ fear of the instability of Trump and his administration, it seems that Japan is actually looking to also move closer to China. Japanese Prime Minister Abe met not only with Chinese President Xi in Vietnam but then with Chinese Premier, Li Kegqiang, in Manila.
Needless to say, there are centuries of mistrust and ill will that will be difficult for the two countries to overcome. But the political realities are certainly driving the two to some sort of reconciliation. Japanese business want access to Chinese markets. The Chinese, for their part, would much rather have Japan as more of a partner than a rival as it becomes the dominant power in Asia.
But both see America in retreat. Japan sees Trump’s caving on his threats to the “one China” policy and the extensions of Chinese military power in the South Asia Sea as an indication of not only the weakness of his leadership but the possible abandonment of Japan. As the Times notes, “Mr. Abe appears keenly aware of Mr. Trump’s erratic swings in opinions and loyalties. Japan is naturally wondering if the United States may make some kind of deal with China that could put Japan at a disadvantage, experts said”.
China, on the other hand, sees America’s retreat as an opportunity to expand its ever growing influence not only in Asia but throughout the world. China is attempting to step into the leadership void left by the US when it dropped out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. It is moving forward with an investment agreement between the EU and China that may eventually end up with a free trade agreement.
It is also no coincidence that Asia’s leaders sat there and watched Trump rail that the US will no longer be take advantage of and the next day, probably laughing to themselves about Trump’s empty rhetoric, proceeded to announce that an agreement had been reached on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), an 11-nation trade deal that no longer includes the US but that Japan still hopes will serve as at least some counterweight to China’s economic power in the region. But Abe’s attempt to reset the relationship with China shows that he is also hedging his bets.
Trump can come home and give himself all the congratulatory praise he thinks he deserves. Meanwhile the rest of the world has no faith in anything he says and will warily move on without him and the US.
