COLUMN-OPINION: TST- By Invitation- Another Trump absence plays into China’s hand
By Invitation
Thitinan Pongsudhirak
In the contest for influence in Asean, turning up at summits matters, even if no deals are to be signed.
.
As leaders across the Indo-Pacific region gather in Bangkok this weekend for the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS), the United States will be conspicuous for the absence of its top two leaders, President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence.
.
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
<>.Mr Trump managed to attend the EAS two years ago in Manila, and designated Mr Pence to stand in for him last year in Singapore. That Mr Trump has decided to assign a lower-level delegation this year, led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Robert O’Brien and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, sends wrong signals and messages to US allies and partners just as China under President Xi Jinping’s steady stewardship continues to make geopolitical headway.
READ MORE : https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/another-trump-absence-plays-into-chinas-hand
.
THITINAN PONGSUDHIRAK
AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY
An associate professor and director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science, with more than 25 years of university service. He earned his MA from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and PhD from the London School of Economics where he was awarded the UK’s top dissertation prize in 2002.
.
– SPACE RESERVE FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENT –
<>.THE EDITOR
All photographs, news, editorials, opinions, information, data, others have been taken from the Internet ..aseanews.net | [email protected]
For comments, Email to :D’Equalizer |
