President Trump and the Implications for the Australia-US Alliance and Australia's Role in Southeast Asia

The accession of Donald Trump to the US presidency has triggered serious discussions within Australia’s policy community over the future of Australia-US security relations and Australia’s role in Southeast Asia. The United States’ withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has led to questions about Washington’s commitment to maintain a viable economic and strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific. Intensified tensions between China and the United States in the South China Sea have also increased Australian concerns that it may be compelled to ‘choose’ between its largest trading partner (China) and its long-term security ally (the United States) in the event of a military clash between these two great powers in Southeast Asia’s critical maritime littorals.