Daily Times

Who knew that the host of The Apprentice, Donald Trump, would be running for the US presidency in the 2016 elections against former First Lady of the US and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, famous for her poised speeches and command over foreign policy? Both candidates are poles apart given their professional accolades. Trump is famous for his verbal antics while Clinton is prominent for her diplomatic stance over issues of national and international politics.

The rise to the US presidency of either Clinton or Trump will shift the US foreign policy and its diplomatic relations with major countries and regions — allies and foes — and especially with Asian countries including Pakistan, India and China.

Although during President Barack Obama’s tenure, US-China ties did falter to some extent because of cyber security and currency manipulation issues, it is yet to be seen how Washington handles Beijing during the post-election era. According to Kenneth Lieberthal, an American political scientist specialising in Chinese politics, “At the end of the day, I think [Chinese leaders] are uncertain about what US-China relations will be under either of the presumptive candidates: what they’ve heard to date is mostly oriented around the needs of the campaign.”

Where Trump has no prior political experience, Clinton knows the significance of maintaining Washington’s ties with the Asia-Pacific region, therefore she would have a diplomatic strategy to steer US-China relations. However, Clinton is aggressive when projecting abroad her country’s image. She would at least be predictable in her foreign policy motives with China. Conversely, Trump has already made accusations against China regarding its economy and would not be in Beijing’s good books. “We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country — and that’s what they’re doing — it’s the greatest theft in the history of the world.” Trump said during a speech in May this year. It is obvious that Trump, as president, would add more cracks in the US-China relations.

Where the Obama administration did pursue a “Pivot to Asia” strategy, Trump, in contrast, is talking about the Muslims and the Middle East. If Trump were to become president, he may not extensively follow the Pivot to Asia policy and focus resources on the Middle East and South Asia, particularly Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Moreover, since Trump has never been in a diplomatic situation, chances are he may negotiate upon all issues and not work on an ideology. Therefore, Clinton would be more assertive and successful than Trump for she would preserve her country’s national ideology and interests.

US-Asia relations would also have certain implications. Where Clinton made nearly 61 official visits to the Asia-Pacific region as the Secretary of State, she has the acumen to stir negotiations, present and discuss policy issues, and come to a resolution. Moreover, on behalf of the US, she signed the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. She has opined that South East Asia and ASEAN are critically important for the US. In addition, Obama has been siding with Southeast Asian countries claiming that China is exerting its influence over the South China Sea. Clinton may follow suit to Obama’s policies. She may be forceful in her response to China’s actions in the South China Sea while bridging ties with Philippines and Vietnam to gain a foothold in Southeast Asia to follow her Pivot to Asia strategy.

Speculations are rising over Trump ignoring the Asia-Pacific region and focusing on the Middle East and South Asia. If the US draws back its forces from the Far East Asia region, China would try to fill this void, which would revoke United States’ position as a Pacific Power. Clinton, on the other hand, would implement a far-reaching US foreign policy to tackle all political and geopolitical issues at once. Trump has also been vowing to limit the number of immigrants working in the US and sending them back to their native land. If Trump’s plans take heed, it will affect US-India ties, as a large number of Indians are living in the US. However, Trump — as analysts suggest — will bolster ties with India to counter Pakistan. Recently, India and the US signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, enabling India and the US to cooperate in trade and defence technology. Neither Clinton nor Trump would want to jeopardise this agreement and, therefore, would want to maintain a rapport with New Delhi.

The writer is a freelance columnist