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- reporter, Anthony Zercher
- reporter, North American correspondent, accompanying the President on his trip
Traditionally, the U.S. president’s overseas trips were an opportunity to show off America’s power to the world. However, President Donald Trump’s five-day trip to East Asia not only revealed Trump’s personal influence, but also showed its limits.
During this trip, President Trump visited Malaysia, Japan, and Korea in turn. The first four days involved attempts to appease the often unpredictable President Trump. This is because everyone knew that with a single stroke of his pen, tariffs could be imposed that could shake the economies of countries highly dependent on exports.
But the meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping held on Thursday was on a completely different level.
The leaders of the two countries faced each other on the world stage as equals. There were enormous stakes at stake in the meeting, including economic interests, international prestige, and the welfare of the people.
President Trump can wield his pen against China, but there is a price to pay.
The first three days of President Trump’s global diplomatic journey went smoothly.
Everywhere he visited, there was a mix of traditional trade negotiations and sycophantic concessions under the shadow of “reciprocal tariff measures.”
President Trump succeeded in securing key minerals in Malaysia and also made progress in concluding trade agreements with Southeast Asian countries. He also presided over the signing of a treaty to ease tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, a type of so-called “peace agreement” favored by U.S. presidents.
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In Japan, President Trump’s private helicopter ‘Marine One’ passed by Tokyo Tower. At the time, Tokyo Tower was decorated with red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag, and its top shone in gold, symbolizing Trump Tower.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced plans to invest $550 billion in the United States and proposed 250 cherry trees as a gift to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. They also delivered golf clubs and bags used by assassinated former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Former Prime Minister Abe is a person with whom President Trump had a close relationship during his first term.
Prime Minister Takaichi further supported President Trump as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Korea also tried not to fall behind. President Trump was greeted with a 21-gun salute, the military band’s ‘Hail to the Chief’ song, and the Village People’s performance of ‘YMCA’, known as the Trump rally anthem.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung held a ‘medal awarding ceremony’ for President Trump and handed over the Republic of Korea’s highest medal and a replica of the Silla Dynasty’s gold crown. At the luncheon, the ‘Peacemaker Dessert’ consisting of gold leaf-covered brownies was served. Additionally, wine from a winery run by President Trump’s son was served at a dinner with the leaders of six countries attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
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Meanwhile, a “No Kings” protest was held in the United States criticizing President Trump’s abuse of power. However, during his tour of East Asia, he was treated like royalty.
Like kings of the past, President Trump demanded tribute as soon as he arrived in Korea. According to the Trump administration’s demands, Korea must invest $20 billion in cash each year in the United States for a certain period of time. This agreement contributed to lowering the tariff rate on Korean exports to the United States from 25% to 15%.
However, the most important moment of President Trump’s Asia trip was his meeting with President Xi Jinping on the last day.
The power dynamics displayed by the leaders of the world’s two largest economies at this meeting were completely different from President Trump’s previous meetings with other leaders.
On this day, there were no elaborate ceremonies, a military band, or a grand dinner. Instead, the two leaders and their closest aides sat across from each other at a white negotiation table inside a military building next to the runway at Busan Airport.
President Trump’s nervous expression when shaking hands with President Xi Jinping seemed to reflect the importance of the high-stakes meeting. He expressed an optimistic outlook the day before, saying, “I think it will be a good meeting,” but the relaxed mood disappeared during the actual meeting.
“I’ve had ongoing conversations with them, so I kind of know what’s going on,” Trump said. “I’m not going to a meeting unprepared.”
For months, President Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on U.S. exports from China. The move was intended to raise revenue for the U.S. Treasury while pressuring China to open its markets and control exports of chemicals used to make the drug fentanyl.
However, unlike other countries, China chose a strong response instead of making concessions.
Although China’s economy was hit by tariffs, China took aim at America’s vulnerabilities. They stopped purchasing American agricultural products and controlled exports of key minerals that the world’s high-tech manufacturing industry relies on.
After finishing the meeting with President Xi, President Trump showed a bright expression. He called the meeting “amazing” and rated it “12 out of 10.” He seemed to be in good spirits even as the presidential plane ascended into the sky, swaying in turbulence.
The conflict between the United States and China was a ‘contest of wills.’ And the economic pain both countries suffered in the process led to Thursday’s meeting and an agreement to ease tensions.
The United States lowered tariffs on China, and China relaxed controls on key minerals and promised to resume imports of American agricultural products and expand purchases of American oil and gas.
Although it was not a completely groundbreaking change, both countries acknowledged that the current situation could not continue.
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It is unclear what kind of international order will replace the current confrontation between the United States and China in the future. At the bilateral meeting, President Xi Jinping said, “China and the United States do not always agree,” and added, “It is normal for friction to occasionally arise between the world’s two leading economic powers.”
This could be seen as some progress after months of tension, but it was also a sign that friction would continue.
China is clearly demonstrating its ambitions to expand its influence at the global and regional levels.
President Trump has attempted to realign America’s priorities abroad and has used economic power as a weapon to put pressure on both allies and adversaries. As a result, allies such as Japan and South Korea, which have long relied on U.S. political, economic, and military support, are struggling to adapt to the new reality.
These movements lead to excessive concessions to accommodate President Trump’s demands in both large and small forms. It is easy to provide courtesy such as gifts or dinner invitations, but billions of dollars in investment, increased defense spending, and permanent tariff increases act as a national burden.
Ultimately, this situation may trigger a reevaluation of relations with the United States and may even lead to a readjustment of relations with China.
President Trump was welcomed like a king in Korea, but the fact that President Xi Jinping arrived shortly after his departure remained symbolic. South Korea also promised the Chinese leader the same diplomatic courtesy as the United States.
How did Trump’s focus on bilateral agreements during the Asia tour differ from traditional free trade agreements?
Table of Contents
- 1. How did Trump’s focus on bilateral agreements during the Asia tour differ from traditional free trade agreements?
- 2. Trump’s Asia Tour: Strategic Deals,Concessions,and Conclusive Diplomacy Achievements
- 3. The Economic Core of the Trip: Trade Deals & Investment
- 4. Security Alliances and North Korea
- 5. Concessions Made & Received
- 6. The Diplomatic Style & Its Impact
- 7. Case Study: The LNG Deal with China
- 8. Long-Term Consequences & Regional Shifts
Trump’s Asia Tour: Strategic Deals,Concessions,and Conclusive Diplomacy Achievements
The Economic Core of the Trip: Trade Deals & Investment
Donald Trump’s 2017 asia tour – encompassing visits to Japan,South Korea,China,Vietnam,and the Philippines – was heavily focused on recalibrating trade relationships and securing economic advantages for the united States. A key objective was to address the significant US trade deficit with China, a recurring point of contention.
* bilateral Agreements: The tour resulted in several bilateral agreements, notably with Japan and South Korea, aimed at increasing US exports. These weren’t comprehensive free trade agreements,but rather focused on specific sectors like energy and agriculture.
* China Trade Package: While a full-scale trade deal wasn’t finalized during the trip, significant commitments were made by China to purchase US goods, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) and agricultural products. These commitments, valued in the billions of dollars, were intended to narrow the trade gap.
* Vietnam Trade: Vietnam emerged as a potential choice market for US goods, with agreements signed to facilitate increased trade and investment. This was partly driven by the desire to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on china.
* Investment Opportunities: The tour actively promoted US investment in infrastructure projects across asia, especially in Vietnam and the Philippines. This aimed to stimulate economic growth in the region while creating opportunities for US companies.
Security Alliances and North Korea
Beyond economics, the Asia tour was crucial for reinforcing existing security alliances and addressing the escalating threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
* US-Japan & US-South Korea Alliances: Trump reaffirmed the US commitment to its alliances with Japan and South Korea, despite previous rhetoric that questioned their value. Joint military exercises were emphasized as a deterrent to North Korean aggression.
* north Korea Pressure Campaign: The tour was part of a broader “maximum pressure” campaign aimed at forcing North Korea back to the negotiating table. Trump urged China to leverage its influence over north Korea to compel it to abandon its weapons programs.
* Regional Cooperation: Discussions with regional leaders focused on coordinating a unified response to North Korea, including strengthening sanctions and enhancing intelligence sharing.
* Defence Contracts: The trip saw announcements of significant defense contracts, including potential arms sales to both Japan and South Korea, bolstering US defense industries and regional security capabilities.
Concessions Made & Received
Diplomacy inherently involves concessions. Trump’s Asia tour was no exception. Understanding these is vital to assessing the tour’s overall success.
* US Concessions: The US softened its stance on certain trade barriers, particularly regarding agricultural imports from China. There was also a degree of adaptability shown on currency manipulation accusations.
* China’s Concessions: China agreed to increase purchases of US goods, though the extent to which these commitments were fully realized remains a subject of debate.They also signaled a willingness to cooperate on North Korea,though their actions were often viewed as insufficient.
* South Korea’s Concessions: South Korea agreed to lift restrictions on US beef imports and contribute more to the cost of stationing US troops in the country.
* Japan’s Concessions: Japan signaled a willingness to explore reciprocal trade arrangements and possibly reduce barriers to US agricultural products.
The Diplomatic Style & Its Impact
Trump’s unconventional diplomatic style – characterized by directness, a focus on bilateral deals, and a willingness to challenge established norms – had a significant impact on the tour.
* Personalized Diplomacy: Trump prioritized direct engagement with regional leaders, frequently enough bypassing traditional diplomatic channels. This approach, while sometimes controversial, allowed for more candid conversations and potentially faster decision-making.
* Emphasis on Reciprocity: Trump consistently emphasized the need for reciprocal trade relationships, demanding that other countries lower barriers to US goods and services.
* Public Statements & Twitter Diplomacy: Trump’s frequent use of Twitter during the tour generated both attention and controversy, often overshadowing traditional diplomatic messaging.
* Impact on US Image: The tour’s impact on the US image in Asia was mixed. While some leaders welcomed Trump’s directness, others were wary of his unpredictable behavior and protectionist policies.
Case Study: The LNG Deal with China
the agreement for China to purchase US liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a prime example of the tour’s economic outcomes. In September 2017, during Trump’s visit, preliminary agreements were signed between US LNG exporters and chinese companies. These agreements, estimated at around $18 billion, were touted as a major win for the US energy sector. However, the implementation of these deals faced challenges due to geopolitical tensions and fluctuating energy prices.While some LNG shipments did occur,the full potential of the agreement wasn’t realized immediately,highlighting the complexities of translating diplomatic commitments into concrete economic results.
Long-Term Consequences & Regional Shifts
The long-term consequences of Trump’s Asia tour are still unfolding.
* Shifting Power Dynamics: The tour contributed to a shifting power dynamic in Asia,with the US attempting to reassert its influence in the face of China’s growing economic and military power.
* Trade War prelude: The issues raised during the tour – particularly the US trade deficit with China – laid the groundwork for the subsequent trade war that erupted in 2018.
* North Korea Negotiations: The pressure campaign initiated during the tour eventually lead to a series of unprecedented summits between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un,though these negotiations ultimately stalled.
