President Obama can claim that he is “America’s first Pacific President” all he wants, but once the fancy talk has subsided, he is going to find that Asia is not a walk in the park and that there are profound issues that will challenge his leadership.
This trip to Asia is going to be all business, nothing like the fantasy-like welcoming tour he and wife Michelle had when they arrived in Europe. And there are no overarching themes around which the populace can assemble and express their admiration for Mr. Obama, unlike when he was in Egypt, speaking against the Palestinian suffering.
So what truly awaits our President, as he prepares for his Asian visits? Unlike in years past, when leaders of the West can swoop into a region, speak somewhat to the plight of its people and promise some sort of aid, then fly out like a messenger sent from above with thanks and praises trailing him as he ascended into the skies, today’s world has become so much more complex that issues in other regions are no longer isolated; in fact, if President Obama’s anticipated difficulties in Asia says anything, it is that the United States can no longer ignore issues abroad, for they are intricately linked to what is happening at home.
Take China, for instance. China’s blatant pegging of its Yuan against the dollar means that no matter what the free markets do to the US currency, the trade advantages enjoyed by the Chinese due to the relative strength of the dollar will stay constant. Translation: the US will keep buying Chinese goods and services because they are “cheaper” and the Chinese won’t buy US goods and services because they are more expensive. Of course, these are all in relative terms, but China’s artificial constant in terms of its currency against that of the US, means that the trade imbalance is also artificial and cannot be rectified unless China floats its currency. Good luck trying to convince them to do that.
Security will also be a paramount concern for the US, as it eyes North Korea, and yes, China as well. Along with the economic growth of the communist Chinese comes their desire to project their influence and power beyond their borders. North Korea, well that old song still holds nukes, and until some semblance of a rational government emerges, communist or otherwise, there is always the threat of proliferation.
President Obama will also have to address trade concerns with long time allies Singapore, South Korea and even China, for those guys cannot be left out of any conversation (nor will they let you), that involves Asia. A delicate balance needs to be defined, one that does not compromise the President’s ability to protect the national interests of the country he serves: the United States.
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