US ditching Asia to focus on Western Hemisphere? Not really

If anything, the US is deepening security relationships in the Indo-Pacific while it addresses some immediate vulnerabilities.

- Ravi Velloor

President Donald Trump's latest National Security Strategy (NSS) does not have a line on the Philippines, America's oldest Asian ally and one frequently embroiled in high seas standoffs with the world's second most powerful nation, China.

This, when the US has access to no fewer than nine strategic locations in that country, as per the updated EDCA, the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement. Coming in the wake of 19 percent tariffs slapped on the Philippines, you could say this is further evidence that the US is ditching allies in Asia as it focuses strategic attention on the Western Hemisphere - the so-called "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine", as the NSS puts it.

Look a little more closely though, and Washington's actions do not square with those interpretations. Through these past Il months, the Trump administration has done little to suggest it has stepped back from its obligations.

It has continued to build on the US$500 million (S$645.6 million) commitment it made to modernise the Philippine military, support for its Coast Guard has not abated, and the Pentagon has continued to broaden maritime cooperation - including in unmanned systems - with Camp Aguinaldo.

There has been significant hand-wringing in Asia and Europe about Trump 2.0, particularly in the defence arena. There are frequent references to a superpower in decline scaling back on its global commitments, its seeming disdain for allies, Mr Trump's eagerness to soft-soap Chinese President Xi Jinping, and much else.