What to expect from Trump's first trip to Asia?

The whole of Asia is watching the upcoming events of the US President's first visit to the region. What is special about this trip?

The US President and his wife left Hamburg, Germany in July. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump will make his first official trip to Asia, visiting Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines from November 3 to 14.

In addition to meeting with leaders of host countries, Mr. Trump will attend the APEC Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam, and ASEAN events in Manila, Philippines.

Here are some of the expected contents from Mr. Trump's trip, according to the Straits Times:

Korea

1. What is Mr. Trump's real view on North Korea?

Fire and fury, or a return to the negotiating table? South Koreans will be paying close attention to Mr. Trump’s speech to the National Assembly on November 8.

2. Meeting with President Moon

Mr. Trump will meet his counterpart Moon Jae In for the third time on November 7. Observers will note signs of differences in their views on the North Korea issue, on the ability to resolve disagreements between the two countries, such as transferring the control of forces in South Korea from the US to Seoul...

Mr. Trump met his counterpart Moon Jae In in New York in September. Photo: Reuters

3. Don't ask us to pay more

During his two-day visit, Mr. Trump is expected to visit Camp Humphreys, a large new U.S. base in Pyeongtaek, a port city 70km from Seoul.

Experts say South Korea will be happy to show Mr Trump its contribution to the defence pact, relieving some pressure from Mr Trump to pay up. Seoul currently pays half the cost – or $830 million – of keeping 28,000 US troops in South Korea.

4. Will North Korea act?

Pyongyang has been unusually quiet in recent weeks, since firing a missile over Japan on September 15. Analysts predict that North Korea will closely monitor Mr. Trump's visit to South Korea, while waiting for an appropriate time to continue "acting."

China

1. North Korea is a difficult problem

China will face pressure from President Donald Trump to rein in North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, but Beijing is unlikely to make many concessions.

2. Trade - give and take.

China will try to come up with measures to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries, partly to reduce pressure from the US on the North Korea issue.

Mr. Trump met President Xi Jinping in Hamburg in July. Photo: Reuters

Vietnam

Observers hope Mr. Trump will reaffirm America's commitments to the region when he comes to Vietnam.

Although the US has withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), security cooperation between the US and Vietnam is still developing steadily.

Last May, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited the White House. The US government also transferred six patrol boats to Vietnam to protect its maritime sovereignty.

Mr. Trump received Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the White House on May 31. Photo: Reuters

Philippines

1. Southeast Asia Commitment.

The US leader will have to reaffirm America's position in the Asia-Pacific region amid China's growing influence.

Along with the US withdrawal from the TPP, Mr. Trump needs to outline specific alternative security and economic policies to reassure concerns in the region.

2. Seek ASEAN's support in dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambitions

3. Support the war on terror

Mr. Trump may call on ASEAN countries to step up efforts to fight the threat from Islamic State (IS) terrorism.

4. Support President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

Mr Trump is likely to support President Duterte's anti-drug campaign, but he will avoid mentioning Manila's "methods".

Japan

1. North Korea

This is a common concern of both countries. Mr. Trump and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe share the view of tightening economic sanctions against North Korea, so this topic will continue to be discussed.

2. Victims of kidnapping

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in September, Mr. Trump surprised Japan when he mentioned the abductions of Japanese citizens by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s. Tokyo has long struggled to get its citizens back.

According to the plan, Mr. Trump will meet with descendants of kidnapping victims in Japan.

Mr. Trump met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in New York in September. Photo: Reuters

3. Maritime security

As China becomes increasingly assertive in maritime disputes with its neighbors, Prime Minister Abe hopes to win Trump's support for Tokyo's "free and open Indo-Pacific" strategy.

After a seven-month pause, the US has conducted four freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea in five months, a sign of Washington's commitment to the region.

4. Trade

Trade is one of the disagreements that the two leaders need to discuss. Mr. Trump is inclined to bilateral trade agreements, while Mr. Abe supports multilateral agreements such as the TPP.

5. Technology cooperation

Mr. Abe is expected to lobby the US to buy Japan's shinkansen high-speed rail technology, in addition to cooperation in areas such as automatic cars, new generation computers, artificial intelligence...

According to Tuoi Tre