Trump's fraught legacy in Asia

With a mix of bold and reckless moves, President Donald Trump rewrote America's foreign policy, national security and domestic politics in his four years at the helm. ST's US Bureau Chief Nirmal Ghosh takes stock of whether America's influence waxed or waned under his watch.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump in the courtyard of the Capella Singapore hotel in Sentosa in 2018. The much-hyped meeting between the two leaders yielded a deflation of immediate tension, but nothing concrete in terms of the stra
President Trump arriving for US Independence Day events at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, last July. During his term, Mr Trump asked whether globalisation worked equally for the American people, a question that the country’s people are going to continue to debate in the coming years. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
President Trump arriving for US Independence Day events at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, last July. During his term, Mr Trump asked whether globalisation worked equally for the American people, a question that the countr
United States National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien virtually addressing leaders of Asean member states at a meeting between Asean and the US at the Asean Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, last November. President Donald Trump did not attend, leading to seven Asean leaders not showing up as well. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump in the courtyard of the Capella Singapore hotel in Sentosa in 2018. The much-hyped meeting between the two leaders yielded a deflation of immediate tension, but nothing concrete in terms of the stra
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump in the courtyard of the Capella Singapore hotel in Sentosa in 2018. The much-hyped meeting between the two leaders yielded a deflation of immediate tension, but nothing concrete in terms of the strategic goal – a denuclearised North Korea. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
United States National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien virtually addressing leaders of Asean member states at a meeting between Asean and the US at the Asean Summit in Hanoi, Vietnam, last November. President Donald Trump did not attend, leading to s
Mr Trump with First Lady Melania Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan in Beijing in 2017. The outgoing US leader’s defining global legacy in foreign policy is the reframing of his country’s relationship with China – in effect forcing citizens of all nations to think about the prospect of a world dominated not by the US but by China. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Trump in the courtyard of the Capella Singapore hotel in Sentosa in 2018. The much-hyped meeting between the two leaders yielded a deflation of immediate tension, but nothing concrete in terms of the stra
President Trump taking part in a groundbreaking ceremony with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (left) and Foxconn chairman Terry Gou during a visit to the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer’s new site in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, in 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
Nirmal Ghosh
US Bureau Chief
Updated
Jan 16, 2021, 07:09 AM
Published
Jan 16, 2021, 05:00 AM
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Outgoing United States President Donald Trump's defining global legacy in foreign policy is the reframing of his country's relationship with China - in effect forcing citizens of all nations to think about the prospect of a world dominated not by the US but by China.

Before the Trump administration, the question was deemed almost impolite to utter and certainly too blunt to be diplomatic.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 16, 2021, with the headline Trump's fraught legacy in Asia. Subscribe

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MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

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