Brookings: Discussion on topic ''The Future of Asia''

On 12/17/20 Brookings held an online discussion on "The Future of Asia" from 10-11:30 AM. The panel was introduced by Brookings' President John R. Allen and moderator was Ms. Mireya Solis.  Discussants: Richard Bush, Rush Doshi, Lindsey Ford, and Ryan Hass of Brookings.

While China is but one nation among the entire host of nations in Asia, it took a central place in the discussion.  First off, however, Ryan Hass acknowledged that due thanks was bestowed upon the US military for its crucial role in maintaining 40 years of worldwide peace with no major wars occurring, a fact recently alluded to by the present Queen of England in a recent address to her people.  

For not only has the US maintained bases and installations in over 150 nations but is performing yeoman service in assisting the Ukrainian forces against Russian aggression and leading in NATO to protect European countries.  However, several nations facing economic hard times have wondered aloud why the US does not do more economically for its friends the world over. e.g., providing expertise and grants and loans to upgrade infrastructures in their homelands.  While Trump is yanking US troops out of Afghanistan, Iraq and making Iran poverty-stricken, the new Administration in Washington may regard the few troops required to enable these countries to live in peace and free of war may be worth the monetary cost. 

At that juncture, talk may turn from what the US has done in the past to help its friends as to its seeming pulling back from providing much-needed foreign aid to augment commitments through the UN.  For China was entered the international scene primarily in the economic sphere, doing the construction of infrastructure primarily with their laborers from China, and making loans and providing grants to nations in need of its help.  

Now, it is the case that countries of Asia know China and have been trading with China for centuries. What is new is the political power China has gained on the world stage.  Several panelists noted that these neighboring nations are yet suspicious of China, because it's all so new that China is doing so much by way of manufacturing goods and extending monetary aid and displaying technical acumen and advanced knowledge.  Indeed, China is offering their technical achievements through their frequently government-subsidized corporations to companies throughout Asia that bring these countries up to speed!

And, withal, where is American business?  Is it still committed to the project, begun in the Renaissance, Globalization?  Does it intend to aid the poorer countries of the world to join 5G networks, for instance?

President Trump made clear these past 4 years of his Presidency that he does not support any such romantic notion.  He proved he was about US interests primarily.  But how about the Biden Presidency?

Several panelists alluded to the current way to bind trading countries together is in making coalitions whereby expertise and trading benefits are mutually exchanged. The TPP and coalitional trading groups are forming in the Asian region; and hopefully, US companies, perhaps with Chinese introductions, will come to enjoy some new-found trading partners from Asia.