US Election Raises Concerns in Asia-Pacific

Experts predict that Donald Trump's return to the White House following the 2024 elections will significantly impact U.S. foreign policy in South Asia and the Asia-Pacific. Trump's administration is expected to prioritize relations with India while sidelining Pakistan, possibly urging Pakistan to reconsider its commitments to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. In East Asia, the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan looms larger, with Japan reaffirming its reliance on U.S. military support despite concerns about the consistency of that support from other allies. Meanwhile, Chinese citizens display a keen interest in the U.S. elections, viewing them as a reflection of American democracy's unpredictability, though they anticipate a continued hardline stance against China regardless of the election outcome. Taiwan, under Trump, may face a more transactional U.S. policy, with heightened military spending demands and concerns about being used as leverage in U.S.-China negotiations. Overall, these developments signal a shift towards a more transactional and less predictable U.S. foreign policy across the region.