The 2024 US Presidential Election: What’s at Stake and What’s in Store for the Asian Countries

The 2024 US presidential election, scheduled for November 5, 2024, will be a pivotal moment for the future of the US and its relations with the world. 

The election will pit incumbent President Joe Biden, a Democrat, against former President Donald Trump, a Republican, who is seeking to reclaim the White House after being impeached twice and facing multiple criminal charges. The election will also feature other candidates from third parties, such as the Green Party and the Libertarian Party, who may influence the outcome in some states.

The Issues

The election will be shaped by a range of issues that affect the US and its interests, such as the economy, the pandemic, climate change, the immigration, health care, and national security. 

Among these issues, the US foreign policy, especially towards Asia, will be a key factor that will influence the voters’ preferences and the candidates’ strategies. Asia, which is home to more than half of the world’s population and some of the fastest-growing economies, is a region of vital importance and strategic competition for the US. The US faces various challenges and opportunities in Asia, such as:

China

The US-China rivalry, which has intensified under the Trump and Biden administrations, will be a central theme of the election. 

The US and China are locked in a multifaceted contest for power and influence, involving trade, technology, human rights, security, and ideology. The US and China also have conflicting interests and views on regional issues, such as the South China Sea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and North Korea. The election will determine whether the US will continue to confront and contain China, or seek to cooperate and coexist.

India

The US-India partnership, which has grown stronger under the Trump and Biden administrations, will be another focal point of the election. The US and India share common values and interests, such as democracy, development, counterterrorism, and regional stability. 

The US and India also cooperate on various initiatives and platforms, such as the Quad, the Indo-Pacific, and climate change. The election will determine whether the US will further enhance and expand its ties with India, or face some challenges and constraints in its relations with it.

Japan

The US-Japan alliance, which has been the cornerstone of the US presence and policy in Asia, will be a critical factor in the election. The US and Japan have a strong and long standing relationship, based on mutual trust and cooperation, as well as shared values and interests. 

The US and Japan also collaborate on various issues and domains, such as the defense, the economy, the technology, and the global governance. The election will determine whether the US will maintain and deepen its commitment and support to Japan, or face some difficulties and uncertainties in its alliance with it. 

Other Asian countries

The US relations with other Asian countries, such as South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, will also be relevant and influential in the election. The US has diverse and dynamic ties with these countries, ranging from alliances and partnerships, to dialogues and engagements, to disputes and disagreements. 

The US also has various interests and goals in these countries, such as the denuclearization of North Korea, the promotion of democracy and human rights, the protection of maritime security and freedom, and the advancement of trade and investment. The election will determine whether the US will strengthen and broaden its network and cooperation with these countries, or face some complications and limitations in its interactions with them.