Before heading to Shenzhen next week, Trump will first travel to Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit, during which he is also expected to participate in the first Quad summit of his second term. His trip comes amid a declining domestic political influence following the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections. Yet, precisely because of this domestic setback, Trump may be more motivated than ever to project American strength and confidence on the global stage. The grand displays and formal ceremonies accompanying his foreign visits appear to cater to his personal insecurities, affording him considerable satisfaction. However, expectations for tangible outcomes remain low. During his meeting with Chinese officials, Trump is likely to seek to preserve the status quo in Sino-U.S. relations, including the extended trade truce (now set to last until mid-January next year), nascent talks on artificial intelligence governance, and mutual export controls. Regarding the trilateral summit, Trump said on Sunday that “a lot of things” would be discussed, including denuclearization. Still, analysts believe the summit is unlikely to yield substantive results, with symbolic value outweighing practical gains. As for the Quad, Trump’s participation may amount to little more than a procedural formality.
In this Asian tour, the primary concern among all participating nations will be how to address the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict—despite their lack of direct involvement but profound exposure to its consequences. Key industrial inputs such as helium, sulfur, and diesel have been disrupted by the war, placing significant pressure on energy prices and supply chains across Southeast Asia. Nonetheless, leaders from these countries are already beginning to turn their attention toward the potential evolution of U.S. politics beyond Trump’s tenure.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881900474218506/
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