Updated at 5:50 a.m. ET on Jan. 20, 2025.
BANGKOK – Senior representatives of the world’s second- and third-largest economies are attending Monday’s inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president, reflecting the importance China and Japan place on good relations with the world’s biggest economy.
Trump’s return to power for a second term raises fundamental questions in Asia, in particular the extent he will follow through on his promise to ramp up tariffs and his commitment to the security of old allies in an increasingly dangerous world.
The Trump team invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to Washington for the inauguration, but Vice President Han Zheng is taking his place.
Japan sent Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, the first time its top diplomat will be at a ceremony normally attended by its ambassador.
Xi talked with Trump in a Friday phone call and stressed that their two countries were pursuing their dreams, with both committed to a better life for their people, China’s foreign ministry said.
“President Xi expressed his readiness to secure greater progress in China-U.S. relations from a new starting point,” it added in a statement on the talks.
“Given the extensive common interests and broad space of cooperation between the two countries, China and the United States can become partners and friends, contribute to each other’s success, and advance shared prosperity for the good of the two countries and the whole world,” the ministry cited Xi as saying
While Beijing is keen to engage with Trump and talk down his threats of 60% tariffs on Chinese goods, Trump’s pre-inauguration talk of taking control of Greenland and the Panama Canal has triggered a wave of speculation in Chinese social media that he may be willing to let China take control of democratically ruled Taiwan.
In Friday’s talk with Trump, Xi repeated that the Taiwan issue was “a red line that China cannot allow to be challenged,” according to state media.
China’s Vice President Han met U.S. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and business leaders, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington on Sunday with Han stressing “extensive common interests” despite “some disagreements and frictions,” the Chinese ministry said.
Taiwan’s delegation led by the speaker of the legislature, Han Kuo-yu, will not be able to attend the inauguration “due to space constraints” in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, where the ceremony will be held because of cold weather, Taiwan’s Central News Agency reported on Monday.
Old alliances
During his first term, Trump called for old allies Japan and South Korea to both pay more for the U.S. troops stationed in those countries, raising questions about the decades-old U.S. commitment to their security.
Both allies will be watching for signs the Trump administration will champion regional alliances, such as the trilateral agreement forged between the U.S., Japan and South Korea during the Biden administration, to counter the threat of China and North Korea.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the fact that Takeshi Iwaya would be his country’s first foreign minister to attend a U.S. presidential inauguration was a sign that the new Trump administration values its relationship with Japan.
“I would like to use this as an opportunity to firmly build a relationship of trust,” said Hayashi on Monday during a press conference. “The Japan-U.S. alliance will continue to be the cornerstone of our country’s foreign and security policy.”
He reiterated the need for an early Japan-U.S. summit meeting.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Sunday that he was coordinating a schedule for his first summit meeting with Trump, without mentioning a timeline.
“We must speak independently and embody the national interest in terms of what role Japan will play in foreign policy, including security, economy, and Ukraine,” he said.
Korean ‘turning point’?
South Korea’s ruling People’s Party of Korea expressed its hope that the alliance with the U.S. would grow even stronger under Trump.
“I hope that this will be a new turning point for strengthening the ROK-U.S. alliance and peace on the Korean peninsula,” Kwon Sung-dong, the floor leader of the National Assembly, said in a congratulatory message to Trump on Monday, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
During his first term, Trump held three rounds of talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. While he failed to achieve any progress in persuading Kim to abandon his nuclear and missile programs, South Korea’s spy agency has speculated that Trump could make a small step forward if he were to meet the Korean leader again.
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South Korea is also concerned about trade and the knock-on effect of Trump ramping up U.S. tariffs against China.
Policy Committee Chairman Kim Sang-hoon expressed concern about the impact of protectionist U.S. policies, such as the imposition of universal tariffs and reciprocal tariffs, on the domestic economy.
Kim cited research by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy that South Korea’s domestic exports could decrease by up to 65 trillion South Korean won (US$45 billion) if universal tariffs and tariffs on China are imposed.
‘Adjustments’ expected
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan acknowledged the global shift towards more protectionist and nationalistic policies, including the threat of tariffs and trade-restrictive measures by the Trump administration.
“We look forward to his inauguration and to the policies, and we will have to make the necessary adjustments even as he makes changes to his policies,” he said in an interview with Singapore media on Sunday.
He said ASEAN would have to “double down” on regional integration as well as connectivity, and make itself as competitive as possible as a trading partner and an investment destination.
“[ASEAN] cannot control the agendas of the superpowers, or indeed the larger powers, but we can, and we should focus on integrating ourselves, strengthening our economies, and our connectivity,” he said.
In Vietnam, where giant neighbor China has been a historic rival, analysts were upbeat about prospects under Trump.
“As Donald Trump is known for being original, unpredictable and non-traditional, he will be bringing new opportunities and hopes to the USA,” said foreign affairs expert Luu Van Vinh.
Another analyst, Bui Ngoc Son of the Institute of International Politics and Economics said Trump’s inauguration would be “political theatre, with much drama expected.”
“This is diplomatic game play of a smart and unique businessman.”
Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
Updated to add comment from Vietnam.