Australia: Don't Fear Donald Trump (But China Should)

Harry J. Kazianis

Security, Asia

He could make the pivot truly great again. 

Speculation regarding the implications of Donald Trump’s win for Asia has been, to be charitable, all over the map. Some argue that Trump’s victory is a win for China because he’ll seek to cut deals with Beijing, leaving America’s allies, Australia included, in what can only be described as part of a growing Chinese sphere of influence. In fact, many scholars and analysts in China, backed up by my own conversations with Beijing-based international affairs experts, seem to think that President Trump’s ‘America First‘ is code for ‘Asia last’—with Washington tending to its own domestic affairs for the foreseeable future.

But those who are likely to advise Trump on China—or who are already doing so—are likely reading such analysis and summing it up in one word: nonsense.