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.

Furthermore, it's unclear what this type of commitment from the U.S. would look like considering that Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Trump is bring dozens of U.S. CEOs on the trip in hopes of getting China on board with various industry deals.

The North Korean threat will nevertheless be the centerpiece of the trip. General McMaster said that the administration is considering putting North Korea on the state-sponsored terrorism list. Consequently, Trump is expected to put more pressure on China to contain North Koreas aggression. “China is definitely doing more, but obviously it’s not enough," said McMaster.

Rising Chinese Power

President Xi Jinping is arguably one most powerful Chinese leaders in mondern times. Analysts say he has no problem looking to drive a wedge between the U.S. and its Asian allies. China recently worked directly with South Korea to settle its disputed use of a missile defense system. This agreement totally bypassed the U.S.

In conclusion, many Asian U.S. allies find American diplomacy increasingly unpredictable and unreliable. Therefore, China is countering softening its stance and opening more diplomatic channels to challenge the U.S.'s presence there.

“In Southeast Asia, you see countries tilting toward China, particularly after the American withdrawal from TPP,” said Michael J. Green. Mr. Green served as an advisor on Asia to President Bush. “They’re not switching sides, they’re just hedging.”