Organizer: Regional Strategic and Political Studies Program, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Type/Location: Virtual

Description:

In his first hundred days back in office, President Trump has set the United States on a path of reassessing its longstanding role as the guarantor of the post–World War II international order. Guided by an unyielding “America First” agenda, his administration has asserted controversial territorial ambitions, downgraded transatlantic alliances and slashed US commitments to international aid and global governance. Trump’s sweeping tariffs—announced on “Liberation Day”—could significantly alter the current international trading system and hasten the fragmentation of the system, leading to immense uncertainty. For many Asian nations, including US allies, this might well represent a moment of geopolitical reckoning. As they navigate the ramifications from Trump’s actions, they must confront hard questions about strategic alignment, economic resilience, and the viability of regional cooperation in a world veering towards protectionism and unilateralism.

This webinar delves into the forces shaping Trump’s policies and their far-reaching global consequences, exploring their impact on the US Indo-Pacific strategy and security alliances in Asia, the potential for strategic realignments among Asian nations, and how countries can navigate the uncertainties and challenges in the turbulent years ahead.

About the Speaker:

Dr. John Lee is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute. From 2016 to 2018, he was senior adviser to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. In this role, he served as the principal adviser on Asia and for economic, strategic, and political affairs in the Indo-Pacific region. Dr. Lee was also appointed the foreign minister’s lead adviser on the 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. He is an independent consultant to national security organizations in the US and Australia.

Registration:

To attend the event online, please register here.