Working Together for a Better World

Many countries, including those in Asia, have a great deal of expectation for the incoming Donald Trump presidency in the US. Amongst East Asian countries, India and China, the security normalizing and economically recovering Japan and the ASEAN Economic Community and its half a billion population are all looking forward to working with the Trump administration.

Trump’s selection of meritocratic candidates with ability and a spectrum of individuals from different backgrounds to join his administration are viewed positively by many. Some initial announcements from those in or close to the administration have also shown a rational and conscious separation of electoral slogans and early directional markers that may be influential on upcoming policies. Many in Asia see the benefits and strengths of a non-isolationist US, its democratic ideals with social justice elements and active engagement with resourceful and important economies like China, Japan, India in the Asian region and many other ranking and middle powers as well in other regions of the world.

China is keen to strengthen the economic interdependence between the two countries. There are conscious voices in both countries and in the region to avoid geopolitical tensions and economic conflicts. Both countries have too many intertwined interests to be in conflict. Many are hoping for the minimization or aversion of an all-out trade war between the two countries. China is contributing in economic ways like connectivity and infrastructure construction. Geopolitical issues require the patience of both the US and China as well as other stakeholders to engage in dialogue.

Japan is keen to work with the US based on their alliance and also defence networking. Many in the region see the US-Japan alliance as a force for regional peace and stability. Countries in the region are also hopeful for US and Japan as well as China and India to be engines of growth for the world economy. Both Northeast Asian countries (China and Japan, joined by South Korea) are keen to work with the US on issues like preventing North Korean nuclear weapons proliferation and many other regional challenges.

Asian businesses, economies, states, societies and governments are keen to work with the US in the area of fostering technological innovations, strengthen political stability, augmenting the skills of millions of disenfranchised workers in both developed and developing economies and other pressing challenges. America has traditionally been a long-time partner, friend and benign security stakeholder in the East Asian and Pacific regions.

All stakeholders are keen to work on improving the economic conditions of the hard-pressed middle class in developed and advanced-developing economies. They are also keen to work on improving the lives of millions still living in poverty. These problems require a collaborative world to resolve and improve the status quo. A world in which the US and all stakeholders work together is one that can resolve unemployment brought about by automation, globalization and other global processes.