US Secretary of State Blinken begins longest Asia tour to reassure allies

0
367

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a 10-day Asia tour on Thursday. His longest trip in the region so far, including visits to Vietnam, Laos, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Mongolia, was aimed at reassuring US allies about Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific’s security concerns, analysts said.

Blinken is set to meet China’s foreign minister at an ASEAN security conference in Laos on Saturday, which Russia is also attending. In Vietnam, Blinken is expected to offer condolences to the family of late General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng.

The trip aims to signal to allies that Biden is ‘all in’ on Asia

Sources: Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat, The New York Times

Blinken’s trip is meant to signal to US allies that President Joe Biden is “all in” on Indo-Pacific security concerns, a US State Department official said, especially after political uncertainty over Biden ending his reelection campaign. Washington has been criticized for not keeping up with its avowed commitment to Southeast Asia, and letting it play second fiddle to its China policy, The Diplomat noted. Biden’s administration has notably been striking military alliances in Asia to counter Beijing, The New York Times wrote. On trade, however, the US still prioritizes China, leaving Asian allies to wonder: “How can the United States hope to compete with China when its economic commitment is so lackluster?”

Blinken hopes to court ‘swing state’ of Vietnam

Sources: Nikkei Asia, The Diplomat

Observers are closely watching Blinken’s visit to Vietnam, which has been described by some as a “swing state” in the US-China bid for influence in the region, Nikkei wrote. His presence there underscores the improvement in relations between the two former foes over the past year, The Diplomat wrote; Hanoi and Washington announced a new partnership last September to strengthen cooperation across trade, politics, and diplomacy.

Southeast Asian countries worry about US political uncertainty

Sources: The New York Times, The Japan Times

Blinken’s trip comes at a turbulent time in US politics; he has already had to delay his schedule twice. US allies in Asia and elsewhere are worried about a second Donald Trump presidency, The New York Times reported, given his complaints that the US spends too much money to defend them, and some allies believe the presumptive Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, is unlikely to defeat him. Southeast Asian countries have long tried not to side too openly with either the US or China, the Japan Times wrote. That could continue under Harris, who is largely expected to follow in Biden’s foreign policy footsteps, but under Trump, escalating tensions means those countries may have to “take sides.”

AfriPrime App link:  FREE to download...

https://www.amazon.com/Africircle-AfriPrime/dp/B0D2M3F2JT

Sponsor
Căutare
Categorii
Citeste mai mult
Music
Teen Patti Club
  Teen Patti Club APK: Introduction Teen Patti, a card game with Indian origins,...
By itanpmkujztc 2024-09-14 01:58:10 0 257
Networking
Wireless Network Security Market 2024-2032 Size, Share, Trends, Growth Drivers and SWOT Analysis Report
Comprehensive Analysis of the Wireless Network Security Market: Trends, Challenges, and...
By Alexaselin30 2024-06-17 07:00:16 0 632
Health
Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Market Growth, Market Overview, Competitive Analysis, Key Players Review
Market Analysis    The global Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management Market is predicted...
By akshada 2023-10-10 04:37:02 0 2K
Alte
Alloy 20 valve supplier in Saudi Arabia
Middleeast valve is one of the greatest Alloy 20 valve supplier in Saudi Arabia. We supply to...
By Middleeastvalve01 2023-12-22 06:00:51 0 2K
Health
Effects of Smoking and Alcohol on Dental Health
Smoking and Alcohol are two widely consumed substances in our society, Smoking is an addiction...
By drnawaledentocare 2024-06-19 09:43:42 0 762