Draconian defense budget cuts of at least $450 billion—and possibly as much as $1.2 trillion under sequestration—are casting doubt on the U.S. commitment to peace and security in the Asia–Pacific. Japan’s inability to come to agreement with its principle ally complicates this already disconcerting picture. It only increases insecurity in a region groping for ways to cope with a rapidly modernizing Chinese military, an unstable North Korea, and other security threats, according to Heritage expert Bruce Klingner. Kevin Maher, former director of the Japan desk at the State Department, highlighted …
Want to hear something disturbing? China has increased its defense budget by double digits every year for the last 20 years. Just as China seems to be gearing up for some undefined enterprise, the U.S. is winding down its defense budget at a similarly rapid pace. Despite the obvious contrast, President Obama said recently that reductions in U.S. defense spending “will not—I repeat, will not—come at the expense of the Asia-Pacific.” Yesterday, Obama visited Australia to announce a renewed U.S. troop presence in coming months, part of a new security …
There is a consensus, spanning the Democratic and Republican parties, our Asia-Pacific trade partners, and those interested around the world that President Obama is heading to Asia with one hand tied behind is back. The reason is his failure to develop and present a clear, coherent trade policy. Economics is king in the Asia-Pacific and trade with the US is the jewel in the king’s crown. Ignore most of what you hear about China as the engine of growth; China runs a huge trade surplus. That means, in the short …
