In These New Times

Trump has revealed an impressively destructive approach to the old world order: NATO, TTIP, NAFTA, TPP, the US/UK alliance, the trade deal with South Korea and,in some ways the UN, have all been ditched or weakened under his presidency. What remains to be seen is whether he can be constructive too. This can only mean close cooperation with the world’s leading economy and the USA’s largest creditor, China. All roads lead to Beijing and for Trump this can be win/win, as the Chinese love to say. Trump has also divested himself of Bannon and the nationalist faction which leaves the road open to an America first policy which is not isolationist. America cannot pull itself up by its shoe-strings: rather it must buy into China-led globalization. This is a difficult step for an essentially provincial country and one which, perhaps, cannot be sold until King Dollar starts to fall. It is though of existential importance to the USA.

SCMP

24th September, 2017

Andrew Leung says major issues, from North Korea to trade and maritime rights, will be at stake when Trump visits China. But, above all, it will be an opportunity for the two powers to recalibrate their relationship and define the new world order.

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