The Indo-Pacific and Trump II. In Uncle Sam’s brutal embrace

In this collective analysis, the research team of the Center for Asian Studies presents a synthetic and non-exhaustive assessment of the relations taking shape between the United States under the Trump II administration and some of the main players in the Indo-Pacific.

Under the Trump II administration, US strategy in the Indo-Pacific is likely to be part of a bipartisan continuum, marked by strategic competition with China. The emphasis will be on economic pressure, notably via new trade sanctions, and increased military and technological engagement to counter Beijing. Washington’s allies and partners in the region, such as Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Australia, will continue to be mobilized to strengthen their posture against China, while pressure to increase their military spending and purchase US armaments will continue.
However, external factors such as political instability in South Korea and rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait could complicate the implementation of this strategy. In Southeast Asia, the delicate balance between economic dependence on China and security provided by the United States remains a major line of tension.
In sum, the Trump II administration is likely to pursue a determined, sometimes brutal, policy of engagement with its partners in the Indo-Pacific, while stepping up pressure on Beijing and adapting its priorities to emerging geopolitical challenges.
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The Indo-Pacific and Trump II. In Uncle Sam’s brutal embrace
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