Trump's trade barbs push Asian nations to fend for themselves

(Nov 15): For years, smaller nations in Asia have looked to the US to provide a counterweight to an increasingly powerful China. Under President Donald Trump, they are learning to fend for themselves.

Trump declared his 11-day swing through Asia a success before heading home on Tuesday, saying that “all Countries dealing with us on TRADE know that the rules have changed.” On each stop, he devoted most of his time to trade deficits, moving away from a US strategy since World War II to enhance economic linkages in Asia as a way of boosting security ties and deter conflict.

The approach is a sharp contrast with former US President Barack Obama, who announced a pivot to Asia backed up by an increased military presence and the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. Trump subsequently called for US allies to pay more for security, and immediately withdrew from the TPP.

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