"Trump's isolationism creates a dangerous vacuum in the South China Sea"

(Baonghean.vn)- The election of billionaire Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States has attracted special attention and monitoring in Asia. Researcher Valérie Niquet, Director of the Asia Center at the French Institute for International Studies (IFRI), commented that isolationism could create a dangerous vacuum in the Asian region - where there are always potential conflicts, especially in the East Sea and the East China Sea.

The risk of conflict looms over the region, although signs suggest it is less immediately likely than in some other parts of the world, but it is still present. These risks could quickly increase if the United States leaves a strategic vacuum by more closely defining its interests there.

Mr. Trump's election has created a dangerous vacuum in the Asian region and caused many disputes, especially in the East Sea. Photo: AFP

The materialization of the idea of ​​a G2 (China-US) group - established on the basis of a relationship that has always been full of mutual suspicion - could have huge consequences for strategic stability in Asia. This is even more serious than the statements by President-elect Trump and his confidants that Japan and South Korea - two close US allies in the Northeast Asia region, need to defend themselves and not rely on the US anymore.

Contrary to what Mr. Trump seems to hope, transforming Japan into a nuclear-capable military superpower and taking on the role of “new guardian” of regional stability would be difficult to achieve in a democratic country where even the smallest military legislation has provoked strong opposition. And conversely, Japan’s emergence as a new military superpower would have complicated consequences for the region.

Mr. Trump's new policy could create instability in Asia. Photo: AFP

One can imagine that the election of Mr. Trump will facilitate the gradual move closer between Tokyo and Moscow. Free from pressure from the United States, Japan can accelerate the process of finding a necessary ally to counterbalance China. For its part, Russia also sees the benefit of rebalancing power with China, so it is also actively seeking to get closer to Japan.

Lan Ha

(According to Le Figaro)