Big Ideas The US was meant to pivot to Asia — has Donald Trump changed course?
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Aug 25, 2025 Nick Bisley, Dean at La Trobe University and expert in U.S. foreign policy, teams up with Daniel Flitton, Managing Editor at The Interpreter, and specialists Ambika Vishwanath and Lupita Wijaya from La Trobe Asia. They delve into how Trump's presidency reshaped U.S. strategies in Asia, highlighting the complexities of American diplomacy. Topics include the chaotic nature of his foreign policy, the implications for Australia as an ally, and the overarching question of international relations' stability under his leadership.
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Headlines Drive Policy Volatility
- The Trump administration shows high media-driven volatility that masks policy coherence.
- News cycles and headline-chasing shape decisions more than a settled grand strategy.
Incoherence Replaces Strategy
- US Asia policy under Trump appears incoherent with competing camps and no clear ends.
- The administration lacks a stable national security process, producing reactive choices rather than strategy.
Multiple Competing Washington Visions
- Multiple, competing views in Washington fight to define Asia policy: spheres-of-influence, prioritisers, transactionalism.
- Which faction wins is unclear, so Asia faces long-term uncertainty about US intentions.