UNITED STATES Asia’s reactions (and expectations) to Trump’s re-election

No comment from Beijing, which describes the US vote as “an internal matter.” The presidents of South Korea and the Philippines highlight the tycoon’s “strong leadership” regarding the Pacific. The Cambodian Hun Sen (after having placed his son at the head of the government) ventures to reflect on American democracy. Modi, from India: Let us work together for global stability and prosperity. And in Congress the “Samosa couscous” continues to grow.

Milan (/Agencies) – Like the rest of the world, Asia is also wondering these days about the possible repercussions of the election of Donald Trump for a second term in the White House. And in the same congratulatory messages that many local leaders have sent to the president-elect of the United States, some crucial questions are raised on the issue of relations between the two shores of the Pacific.

As usual, Beijing authorities did not officially react to Trump’s election. “The US presidential election is an internal matter: we respect the decision of the American people,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded laconically to a question on the subject during the daily press conference. Not even any comment is made about the possibility that during his new presidency Trump could further accentuate the trade conflict with the People’s Republic of China. During the election campaign, the magnate had stated that “tariffs” is “the most beautiful word in the dictionary”, and promised to increase current taxes up to 60% on all Chinese imports, adding to them a global one of 10 or 20% on all foreign merchandise entering the United States. In this regard, the Chinese government spokesperson simply said: “We do not answer hypothetical questions.”

On the contrary, the president of Taiwan Lai Ching-te immediately congratulated the new president of the United States: “Sincere congratulations on your victory – he wrote to him in a post on the social network X. I am confident that the long-standing partnership between Taiwan and “The United States, based on shared values ​​and interests, will continue to be a cornerstone for regional stability and lead to greater prosperity for us all.”

Similar words from South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from another particularly hot geopolitical front at the moment in Asia: “Under your strong leadership – says Yoon in a message to Trump – the future of the alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States , and that of the United States itself, will be brighter. I look forward to working closely with you.” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also speaks of a demonstration to the world of the “strength of American values,” and expresses the hope that the “indestructible alliance” between Manila and Washington will be “a force for good, charting a path of consolidation and friendship in the region and on both sides of the Pacific.”

One of the most unique comments on the elections in the United States has been that of Hun Sen, Phnom Penh strongman and current president of the Cambodian Senate, after having placed his son Hun Manet in his position at the head of the government. She scathingly says on Facebook that “American society is not ready to have a woman as a leader, even if the United States presents itself as the land of gender democracy.” Hun Sen also maintains that Trump’s victory “proves that Americans love peace over endless war in Ukraine and Israel.”

For his part, Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia – the country that will hold the rotating ASEAN presidency in 2025 – expressed his congratulations to the president-elect and expressed the hope that the United States will reinvigorate its commitment in Southeast Asia and contribute to putting end to the conflicts in Palestine and Ukraine.

Congratulations for “friend Donald Trump” also came from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “As you build on the successes of your previous term – writes Modi in a post on X – I look forward to renewing our collaboration to strengthen further the Comprehensive Strategic and Global Partnership between India and the United States. Let us work together for the growth of our people and to promote global peace, stability and prosperity.

For their part, the Indian media also wonders about the repercussions of Trump’s victory on the local economy. Indian companies – they note – hope to indirectly benefit from new opportunities in the event that the tariff war between Washington and Beijing worsens. It should be remembered, however, that in the logic of ‘America First’ Trump has also criticized India’s trade policies and, therefore, could put pressure on Delhi in sectors such as digital technologies, the pharmaceutical and textile industries. Another open chapter is that of visas. In his first term, Indian companies were seriously affected by restrictions on the issuance of residence permits. Although in recent years they have increased the hiring of local personnel, thus protecting themselves from possible future restrictions on immigration.

Finally, always on the topic of relations with Washington, it must be added that Delhi will also be able to count on greater growth in the next four years of the so-called “Samosa caucus”, that is, the group of elected officials in the Capitol of origin Indian. Indeed, of the nine candidates for the House of Representatives, seven managed to win their seats, two more than in the previous legislature. And it must be remembered that the wife of the new vice president JD Vance is also of Indian origin. Usha Chilukuri, in fact, is a lawyer born in California, daughter of Indian immigrants from the Krishna district, in Andhra Pradesh.