The United States is facing unprecedented challenges in its relationships with China and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region. President Donald Trump’s intensifying confrontation with China has created unease among many nations, with some questioning their trust in the U.S.
Singapore’s former Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen described Trump’s actions as having eroded the US’s “moral legitimacy” and shifted its image in Asia from liberator to disruptor. East Timor’s President José Ramos-Horta warned that the US’s coercive tactics and withdrawal of aid are driving global politics towards chaos.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for new coalitions between Europe and Asian countries centered around open trade and a “rules-based order” – an implicit response to Trump’s America First nationalism. Other leaders, including Lloyd Austin and Ely Ratner, argue that the US has maintained continuity in its Asia strategy despite Trump’s disruptions.
However, the state of US-China ties is becoming increasingly fraught. China has taken steps to distance itself from the US, such as not attending key defense talks in Singapore, while the US has announced plans to revoke visas for thousands of Chinese students studying at US universities.
The rift between the two countries seems to be deepening, with experts warning of a complete lack of trust and few opportunities for positive messaging. The situation highlights the challenges facing the US as it navigates its relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/30/shangri-la-hegseth-singapore-china-us-trade