Feb 13 , 2019

Trump’s second State of the Union address demonstrated his determination to pursue his America First policy, especially on trade, but also on security. A clear preference for bilateral deals and peace through strength and primacy are key elements in his strategy.

Dec 10 , 2018

Southeast Asia is finding new ways to turn the US-China trade war into an opportunity.

Nov 07 , 2018

President Xi visit caps two years of warming ties oriented towards dispute management, confidence-building, and expansion of economic, security and people-to-people connections.

Oct 18 , 2018

As the Belt and Road Initiative enters its fifth year, the expansive initiative may find itself confronting five particular challenges.

Sep 13 , 2018

Duterte’s Asian tilt is not so much a reaction against the West as it is a recognition of economic and security dynamics.

Aug 31 , 2018

The agreement for a single draft text as the basis for further negotiations for a Code of Conduct (COC) is a significant milestone in the long-running South China Sea saga, argues Lucio Blanco Pitlo III.

Aug 01 , 2018

Recent events have suggested that the decades-old U.S. policy of accommodation toward China is giving way to greater pushback against Beijing’s advances. However, disproportionate pushback may inject instability into the world’s most important bilateral relationship. Demonstrating competent leadership by leaving room for a negotiated solution is crucial.

Apr 06 , 2018

The use of tariffs to address the United States’ trade imbalance with key trade partners will hamper longstanding U.S. economic leadership. For the U.S., addressing the trade imbalance and reviving U.S. manufacturing should not come at the expense of disrupting the established economic trade order and heightening perceptions of American exceptionalism among U.S. allies.

Mar 16 , 2018

Cooper and Douglas presented four visions of U.S. strategy towards China: primacy, balance, concert and integration. President Trump’s persona, rhetoric and actions suggest that he will lean more towards primacy with an element of balance in dealing with China. Primacy and balance constitute viable strategies in dealing with an emerging rival, but over reliance on these two unnecessarily limits U.S. foreign policy maneuverability and poses serious danger.

Feb 08 , 2018

Xi’s report to the 19th Party Congress outlined promising opportunities for China to play ever greater constructive and positive roles for the world. However, making those contributions will not be without challenges, and the manner and motives behind such efforts will always be under scrutiny.