Obama, Trump and Southeast Asia

Obama, Trump and Southeast Asia

            The fear of communism during the cold war once brought the great attention towards the region of Southeast Asia. The domino theory ensured that it is required for this region to enhance its nation building as to counter the communist guerilla strategy. With that being said, the focus of American foreign policy towards Southeast Asia never came to be a constant factor since the end of the Vietnam war, except for human rights and terrorism aspects. Of course, the region still serves its strategic interest for U.S through geopolitical and economic reasons, as ASEAN or individual, it holds the strong connection and economic partnership with PRC, Japan, India and South Korea. Thus, Southeast Asia with its neither great nor less importance has become an indicating factor for the ideals and beliefs of each U.S presidency.

            It is natural that North Korea and the rising power China play far more important role in U.S foreign policy. In a way, Obama developed Asia Pivot Policy, which deviates from the customary approach upon Europe and Middle East alone and focus on the rebalanced act between northeast and southeast Asia. This policy provided the highest interest the region achieved (as a whole) in almost half a century. The main goal is a globalist idea, “to promote U.S interests by shaping the norms and rules of the region” and planning it by increasing the priority of the region in military planning, foreign policy and economic policy.   

            Donald Trump came into office with “American First” policy. This policy still covers all major issues, both security and economic, threatening the country. Trump administration is still tackling the issues of Middle East and North Korea and of course still possesses active relations with China and Russia. There was Trump’s Asia tour in November 2017 which involved visit to Vietnam and Philippines. Of course, Trump addressed issues of South China Sea and even mentioned Bengali issues of Rakhine in Myanmar.  Even in recently published National Security Strategy, most of southeast Asian countries, ASEAN and APEC are appreciated for growing economic partnership.

            Wouldn’t this all meant that Trump is actually pursing the same policy as Obama and actually care for global issues? The clear difference between the policy of two different presidency is their globalist and pro-isolationist stance. President Obama wanted the influence of U.S as a positive factor on the whole region, counter balancing those influence of rising China. The third world countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar were not left out due to less strategic importance in economic interest. Likewise, U.S withdrawal from Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) indeed sent this message. Moreover, mentioning issues and actually involving are very different matters as well. Even though Trump addressed about South China Sea dispute, he doesn’t necessary meant U.S would be part of it. “American First” policy make sure that the relations with any state or non-state actors should bring out mutual benefits or at least some advantages for U.S. These ideals of new administration continue upon already expanded network of U.S – Southeast Asia relations while diminishing the globalism factor.