How Asia can benefit as Trump presidency puts distance between Australia and the US

Donald’s Trump’s unexpectedswerve on the one-China policy has reignited the post-election debate over Australia’s US-centred foreign policy, torn as it is between its top trading partner China and its main ally and security guarantor America.

Ever since Trump was elected president, Australia has, for the first time in more than a decade, been witnessing a split from the bipartisan view of both major parties that the US is central to Australian interests. Senator Penny Wong, who is the shadow foreign minister of the opposition Labor Party, has said that the uncertainty created by Donald Trump also presents an opportunity for Australia to question the centrality of the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security Treaty, or ANZUS, to Australia. She is advocating stronger engagement in Asia by Australia.

(SCMP)