Washington beckons
Mornings come late during winter. As we began our trek to the stands fronting the Capitol for a historic inaugural, the first tangerine rays of the distant sun were just breaking out, threatening to drive away the dark clouds gathering over the mall.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes “Jun” Esperon and myself needed to walk about a mile and a half to get to our assigned seats. Tight security meant no vehicle could drive up the stands. In the cold weather and the light rain, the walk proved mercifully short.
Henry Howard, currently director of the US-Philippine Society, graciously accompanied us for the walk. At the stands, we were ushered to the VIP section where representatives of so many nations were accommodated. The crowds were just then beginning to gather. It was better for us to be early for this historic event. Security was expectedly tight. The new American president was to take his oath.
I have seen so many pictures of previous US presidential inaugurations. It was a dream to be here for this one, at the capital of the world’s superpower and only meters away from its incoming leader. The mall was dramatic in the half-light of a wet and wintry morning, I could make out the huge LED screens positioned down the grassy knoll. They would bring the proceedings up close even for those farthest from the stage. Hundreds of thousands were expected to fill this venerable place.
In the long wait for the historic event to happen, one could not help but ponder on the future of our bilateral relationship with the superpower. That relationship went through a rough patch of late. But it is not beyond saving. On the contrary, it is full of possibilities and promise.
When President Duterte called up US President-elect Donald Trump, there seemed to be good rapport between the two. The phone conversation between the two was more than cordial. It was warm. There is much similarity between the two, not the least being that both of them are tough-talking political outsiders eager to bring change. We have since officially invited the new American president to participate in the Asean summit we are hosting.
In his inaugural speech, Trump hardly dealt with foreign policy. He did not outline specific initiatives. There was nothing about the South China Sea issues and the situation in East Asia. We will have to wait a little longer for clearer indications about where the new American president intends to take his country’s relationships with traditional allies in the Pacific. Most likely, however, our relationship will be much better under the pragmatic leadership of Trump.
During the Obama presidency, US officials tended to preach their so-called “values” and patronize old allies. That created some friction with our outspoken President. Since last year’s “misunderstanding” of sorts, Washington appears to have completely revised its methods. They have sent an Asian-American as ambassador to Manila. That is a good signal in itself.
Understandably, President Trump devoted much of his speech addressing his countrymen. He ran his successful campaign appealing to American patriotism. He has pegged his administration to an “America First” policy. Although likely to be moderated by the US Congress, Trump’s economic policy seems to be leaning toward protectionism. He frowns on American companies investing their money abroad. That protectionist inclination could cause adverse outcomes for us.
The Philippines and all the East Asian countries need to initiate a dialogue with President Trump about our economic partnership. Although Manila was not invited to the grouping, it is not encouraging for some member countries that one of Trump’s first acts is to withdraw the US from the American-initiated Trans Pacific Partnership.
Much of East Asia is watching for signals from the Trump White House. We are all hoping that his threat to build a wall on the southern border does not imply he will also burn bridges across the Pacific. I am not sure if that is to America’s long-term interest.
