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Trump is heading to Asia - here's what you need to know

Elena Holodny   

Trump is heading to Asia - here's what you need to know
Defense1 min read

trump xi jinping

AP Photo/File

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump. Trump's meeting with Xi will be closely watched, but analysts aren't expecting substantive developments.

US President Donald Trump kicks off his Asia tour on Friday amid the ongoing North Korea crisis. He is first stopping off in Hawaii before heading to Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

The White House says Trump will be aiming to "underscore his commitment to longstanding United States alliances and partnerships, and reaffirm United States leadership in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region." But there are concerns in Asia about the degree to which the Trump administration is genuinely committed to the economic prosperity and security of the region given its sharp policy shifts from the previous administration.

Traditional US allies in the Asia Pacific will likely be looking for signs of continued American support from Trump - especially given that the American president pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which was largely seen as a statement about the US's long-term commitment to the region.

Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping will be closely watched, although analysts aren't expecting substantive developments. Below, we outlined the key issues to keep an eye on in each of the countries that Trump will be visiting.

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