America no longer pivots to Asia

The Obama administration's rebalancing policy toward Asia, also known as the pivot to Asia, is "officially over," a US State Department official said.

US Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton. Photo: US Department of State.

"Pivot, rebalance, that's the word used to describe the previous administration's Asia policy. I think you can expect the current administration to have its own strategy. We haven't gone into the details of the new strategy," DefenseNews quoted the acting US assistant secretary of state as saying on March 14.Susan Thornton.

Asked about the future of the rebalance to Asia, Ms. Thornton said the Trump administration has its own plan for the region, even if it has not yet taken shape.

Ms Thornton's statement came ahead of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's first trip to the Asia-Pacific, emphasizing the Trump administration's continued commitment to the region.

"We will continue to be actively engaged in Asia. The Asian economy is very important to the prosperity and development of the United States, we will continue to work on issues like fair trade, free trade and security challenges like North Korea. The United States will also continue to promote peace and stability in Asia," Thornton said.

Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at the Lowy Institute for International Policy in Australia, said it was too early to judge the Trump administration's relationship with Asian countries.

Mr Graham warned that there could be uncertainty in the “policy vacuum” because of the inexperience of Trump’s staff.

The US pivot to Asia strategy was initiated by former President Barack Obama to strengthen relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to VNE