What we can expect from Trump's marathon 5-nation Asia tour
President Donald Trump has embarked on a marathon 11-day tour of Asia, the longest by an American president to the continent in 25 years. Trump will be visiting Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines. His tour comes amid simmering tensions with North Korea over its nuclear and missile tests. What are the major expectations from his tour? We explain.
Trump to visit Japan, South Korea and China
November 5-6: Trump will arrive in Japan where he'll enjoy a game of golf with PM Shinzo Abe and pro player Hideki Matsuyama, followed by bilateral meetings with Abe. November 7: He will hold talks with President Moon Jae-in in South Korea and address the National Assembly. November 8-9: Trump will visit China to attend several events including bilateral talks with President Xi Jinping.
Trump will participate in APEC and ASEAN summit
November 10: Trump will participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Danang, Vietnam. November 11: He will hold talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi. November 12-13: He will participate in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila, Philippines, and later hold talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
What to expect from Japan, South Korea and China visits
Trump will be expected to reassure its ally Japan of the US' continued military commitment in the face of the continued North Korean threat. Meanwhile, South Korea would want him to tone down his rhetoric against the North and keep options for dialogue open. In China, Trump may talk tough on Beijing's allegedly unfair trade policies and assert the US' military dominance.
What to expect from Vietnam and Philippines visits
At the ASEAN and APEC summit, Trump is expected to push his "America First" trade agenda which hasn't gone down well with the US' overseas trade partners. He may bring up the human rights records of the Philippines and Vietnam. His meeting with the outspoken Philippines President Duterte is crucial as Manila, the US' traditional ally, has recently been wooing China and Russia.
