Asian media decry isolationist Trump,
fear economic, diplomatic turmoil
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[January 21, 2017]
By Elaine Lies
TOKYO, (Reuters) - A day after Donald Trump
became U.S. President and vowed to put "America First", Asian media
decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global
economy and sow widespread international discord.
In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said U.S. workers have been
devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a
divisive campaign that emphasized making America strong again.
In Japan, one of Washington's oldest and staunchest Asian allies,
newspapers across the political spectrum criticised the new
administration, with more than one saying the world was now in
"unpredictable territory."
"Has there ever been a new U.S. administration that began by spreading
unease, not expectations, throughout the world?" said the conservative
Yomiuri Shimbun, adding that Trump appeared ready to take both alliances
and global norms lightly if they didn't benefit the United States.
The liberal Asahi Shimbun went further and said Trump, who called on
allies like Japan and South Korea to shoulder a greater share of defense
costs or face the possible withdrawal of U.S. troops, posed a risk to
the freer global order born after World War Two and the Cold War.
"Will the unpredictable Trump whirlwind cross the U.S. borders to spread
division and conflict? The new master of the White House must realise
the heavy responsibility that accompanies his words and actions", it
said.
State media in China, accused of stealing U.S. jobs during Trump's
campaign, said they hoped his government understood the importance of
relations with China but that Beijing should also brace for the worst.
"What's crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to
resolve them," said the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party's
official People's Daily.
Worry about friction between the two superpowers loomed over many in the
region.
"As an exporting nation reliant on both China and the U.S., we would
suffer from greater U.S. protectionism and any trade war," said the
Sydney Morning Herald.
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President Donald Trump celebrates after his speech during the
Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, D.C.,
U.S., January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Saul Loeb/Pool
"We may have to negotiate our way through a new world order not just
regarding trade and China but also climate, Russia and regional
security given Trump's lack of interest in the U.S. playing the role
of sheriff."
A less-engaged Washington could also lead to shifting alliances and
more reliance on regional networks.
"India must not only prepare for a more protectionist America, but
also prepare of a United States that does not plan to mess around
with other people's affairs or squander blood and treasure in the
name of promoting democratic values," wrote policy analyst C. Raja
Mohan, head of Carnegie India, in the Indian Express.
A few said they expected U.S. political institutions to prevail and
that Trump should be given the benefit of the doubt as the
duly-elected U.S. leader. "It is wisest to hope he succeeds," added
The Australian in an editorial titled "President Trump Seals the
Deal."
But uncertainty prevailed for the most part.
"Under Trump, the United States is apt to be as edgy and
unpredictable as his former television reality show," said
Thailand's The Nation on Friday.
"The reality show has become reality. We are about to discover
whether America can become great again - and whether the word
'great' takes on unexpected meanings."
(Reporting by Tom Westbrook and Harry Pearl in SYDNEY, Ben Blanchard
in BEIJING, Douglas Busvine in NEW DELHI, and Orathai Sriring in
BANGKOK; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
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