Wei Zongyou,"The Preliminary Analysis of the Trump Administration's South China Sea Policy," Southeast Asian Studies, No.2, 2018

【Abstract】The U.S. has conducted eight so-called freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) in the South China Sea since Donald J. Trump came into White House, which differs and far exceeds what the former administration did in the South China Sea in both numbers and the way and authorization of the FONOPs. Besides, the Trump administration has taken advantage of various bilateral and multilateral dialogues and mechanisms with East Asia and South Asia countries to keep fresh the issue of the South China Sea disputes. However, this paper argues that the South China Sea issue will not be a top priority in Trump’s Asia-Pacific strategy compared with the North Korea and trade issues, given Trump’s America First foreign policy thinking. Although Trump will not ignore or let go the issue of the South China Sea, its importance in Trump administration’s Asia-Pacific strategy should not be exaggerated, and the chance it will be traded for other urgent issues cannot be ruled out.  

【Keywords】 Donald J. Trump, Asia-Pacific Policy, America First, South China Sea, Freedom of Navigation Operations

【Author】 Wei Zongyou, Professor of the Center for American Studies, Fudan University

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