International relations expert Faisal Karim believes that Donald Trump will no longer focus on Southeast Asia and will instead turn to East Asia if he wins the 2024 US election and returns as president.
Trump in the US Presidential Election this time faces the Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Kamala Harris. “Trump will no longer focus on Southeast Asia because he will focus on big things and prioritize issues related to the United States, especially in terms of the economy,” said Faisal in Jakarta, Wednesday (6/11).
He views that the Republican presidential candidate will focus the direction of US diplomacy to East Asia, especially regarding the trade war with China and support for Taiwan, as well as Ukraine.
The academic from the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII) also believes that Trump will turn away from the Paris Agreement regarding climate change mitigation after he declared that the US was leaving the agreement in 2019.
The US became part of the Paris Agreement again after Joe Biden declared his withdrawal from the agreement in 2020, making it one of the first executive orders he signed after being inaugurated as US President.
Donald Trump is ahead according to the Associated Press (AP) quick count, which was monitored until the afternoon of November 6, over his rival Kamala Harris. Based on AP’s latest data, Trump is ahead with 51.2% of the vote over Harris who only received 47.4% of the vote.
Until this news was written, Donald Trump was one step closer to winning the US Presidential Election by winning 248 electoral votes compared to Harris who only got 214 electoral votes. US presidential candidates must exceed 270 electoral votes to win the election.
On November 5, 2024, the United States held the 60th Presidential and Congressional Election to determine the 47th president and 50th vice president. Kamala Harris (60), the incumbent US vice president, won the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden withdrew from the nomination.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, 78, is running for a third consecutive term to regain control of the White House. (Ant/Z-2)
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**Interview with Faisal Karim: Analyzing Trump’s Economic Agenda for Asia**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Faisal. With the upcoming elections looming, you’ve recently expressed your views on Donald Trump’s potential shift in focus regarding U.S. diplomacy in Asia. Can you elaborate on what you believe will change if he is re-elected?
**Faisal Karim:** Thank you for having me. Yes, I believe that if Trump returns to office, his administration will prioritize East Asia over Southeast Asia. The region will likely be influenced by ongoing tensions with China, particularly regarding trade policies and support for Taiwan.
**Editor:** Interesting perspective. Given the historical context of Trump’s first term, do you think his approach will be markedly different this time around?
**Faisal Karim:** Absolutely. In his first term, Trump was more about using strong rhetoric against China, but in a second term, I anticipate he’ll take a more strategic approach. His focus will likely center on economic policies that directly benefit the U.S., which means a more calculated stance in East Asia as he navigates trade wars and international alliances.
**Editor:** You mentioned support for Taiwan and Ukraine. How do these issues play into his broader economic agenda for Asia?
**Faisal Karim:** Trump’s support for Taiwan can be seen as a move to counter China’s influence in the region, which is crucial for American interests. Similarly, his stance on Ukraine aligns with maintaining global alliances that fortify U.S. economic and strategic positioning. If he prioritizes these geopolitical issues, it could reshape trade agreements and investments in East Asia significantly.
**Editor:** What about Southeast Asia? Why do you think that region will not be a priority?
**Faisal Karim:** I believe Trump sees Southeast Asia as less of a direct threat to U.S. interests compared to the rising power of China in East Asia. His administration will likely focus on larger economic mechanisms instead of smaller, regional partnerships in Southeast Asia, targeting issues that resonate more with American voters.
**Editor:** Lastly, if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, how might that differ in terms of U.S. economic priorities in Asia?
**Faisal Karim:** Kamala Harris might adopt a more inclusive and cooperative approach with Southeast Asia, emphasizing multilateralism. Her administration could also engage more in climate change initiatives and trade partnerships in that region, which contrasts starkly with Trump’s more unilateral, economy-first approach.
**Editor:** Thank you, Faisal, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how the election outcome influences U.S.-Asia relations.
**Faisal Karim:** Thank you for having me! It’s certainly a pivotal moment for U.S. diplomacy in the region.
