Today, Trump embarks on his first trip to Asia as President. He is leaving behind tumult in Washington caused by the tax bill and the indictment of former campaign manager.
Tension in the Pacific and at Home
Trump is traveling during a contentious time in the Pacific over North Korea’s nuclear aspirations. He surely wants to show off his claimed good relationships with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
President Trump’s trip will take him through China, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines over 11 days. This will be the longest Asian trip for any President since George H. W. Bush. The Russia investigation in Washington will likely cast a shadow on President Trump’s ability to negotiate with China, or even Japan and South Korea.
Trump’s Objectives
“President Trump will discuss the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific region to America’s prosperity and security,” read a White House statement. At Japan’s urging, the U.S. plans to unite closer to Vietnam, Australia and India to contain China’s power expansion.
