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.
