Asia-Pacific must chart its own course

The specter of geopolitical instability, once part of a distant academic discourse, has become a tangible reality for businesses worldwide. Eight years ago, a seismic shift occurred when the United States, under then president Donald Trump, signaled a retreat from its traditional role as a global economic and security guarantor.

The echoes of that promise, "America First", resonate even more powerfully now as US voters have again chosen Trump as their president and supported the Republican Party in the elections. As a result, the Republicans dominate both the Senate and the House of Representatives, reinforcing the perception that reliance on US engagement is a precarious strategy for the global economy.

This resurgence of economic nationalism in the US necessitates a fundamental reassessment of regional economic strategies. The message "don't count on US" is a clear signal which both Trump and Vice-President JD Vance sent during the election campaign. In fact, they have been repeating the message even after assuming power.