Donald Trump’s presidency should be producing alarms both domestically and internationally. None more so than in Asia, as he moves forward with an ambitious and at times extremely contentious policy shakeup. Trump ended up winning 49.8% of the popular vote and won all seven of these swing states in the general election in November by razor-thin margins. Today, he’s doing it on immigration, trade, technology, and international relations. The things he’s done, especially in the first few months of his administration have created a massive amount of fear, shock, and awe both our allies and enemies.
Perhaps the most significant change Trump has made comes in his heraldic crusade against immigration. He initiated mass deportations of undocumented immigrants across the nation, which has raised alarms about human rights violations and the potential for strained relations with neighboring countries. Critics maintain that these measures would unnecessarily destabilize communities and disrupt families. At the same time, advocates argue that they are critical for our national security.
In parallel to his immigration reforms, Trump has imposed steep tariffs on goods from various countries, altering the dynamics of global trade. Furthermore, these tariffs have opened a rift in our relationships with other essential trading partners. They have awakened anxieties of a potential trade war that might reverberate across the Asian markets. Economic analysts warn that enacting such policies would just provoke retaliatory measures that would likely slow overall growth in international trade.
Trump’s foreign policy recalibrations reach the Indo-Pacific. His administration has taken a firmer stance against China, seeking to counter its influence through strategic partnerships with other nations. Yet, this method continues to fuel mounting pressure, especially over trade conflicts and militarization in contested waters.
Technology policy more generally under Trump has been deeply polarized. His administration has called for aggressive enforcement and investigation of foreign technology companies, particularly Chinese firms. This development has troubling implications for the future of global technology collaboration and innovation. Companies are finding themselves in a much more fragmented and complex digital world these days.
In a surprising diplomatic move, Trump publicly berated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the ongoing crisis stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Critics worry that this will weaken Ukraine’s hand and reward Russian aggression. This essentially gives Putin a win. The effects of this reprimand are still playing out, with all eyes on how it will shape U.S.-Ukraine relations in the future.