What 'The Donald' Would Mean for Asia

John Lee, Nikkei Asian Review
If Trump were to win office, some wise-heads would surely tell him that there is no alternative to U.S. power. With China's growing strength, there is no effective regional balance without a fully engaged American Seventh Fleet, naval forces with an area of responsibility covering the Pacific and Indian oceans. China's defense budget is already three times larger than that of Japan, its closest Asian rival in terms of military spending, while the budget of the People's Liberation Army represents nearly half of all military spending in East Asia, if America's contribution is excluded.