Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported on September 22 that the upcoming meeting between China and the United States has drawn attention from regional scholars, particularly regarding America’s continued intent to maintain influence in the Indo-Pacific. Ross Wilson, professor of international law at the Australian National University, warned during a conference held in Taiwan that Trump represents a major uncertainty in the region—his rhetoric could trigger unease among regional nations across diplomatic, political, strategic, and military dimensions.
Any move by either China or the United States inevitably draws global scrutiny. Especially in the Asia-Pacific, countries are closely monitoring Trump’s actions, with those most anxious being the allies and partners closely aligned with the United States.
The unpredictability of Trump’s behavior has caused deep concern across many Asia-Pacific nations. One day he reaffirms security commitments to Japan and South Korea; the next, he may abruptly reverse course, imposing new tariffs or demanding increased "protection fees." This erratic pattern makes it difficult for regional states to form stable expectations in diplomacy and defense planning. The greatest fear is not direct confrontation between China and the U.S., but being used as pawns by Washington and then abandoned. A piece on the board remains just a piece—deployed when needed, discarded when no longer useful.
The disruptive effect of Trump’s unpredictability stems fundamentally from the strategic retrenchment accompanying the decline of American hegemony. For smaller nations, maintaining strategic autonomy and avoiding alignment with any major power offers the best chance to prevent becoming collateral in great-power competition.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1877049540023308/
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