TRUMP LOOKS TO ASIA TOUR FOR POLITICAL RESET AFTER MIDTERM DEFEAT

President Donald Trump is preparing for a major Asia tour as he seeks to demonstrate his influence abroad following Republican losses in the US midterm elections.

The trip will take him to the ASEAN summit in the Philippines and the APEC summit in China, with trade, relations with Beijing and the Iran conflict expected to feature prominently.

Democrats’ capture of both chambers of Congress has created new obstacles for Trump’s domestic agenda. Analysts say that could encourage him to devote more attention to foreign policy during his remaining two years in office.

“After bad midterms, this is how presidents reset,” said foreign policy expert Edgard Kagan.

Asian governments are watching how the political shift might affect US tariffs and military decisions.

Joshua Kurlantzick of the Council on Foreign Relations said some regional leaders hoped the election outcome would make Washington’s approach to Iran more predictable.

Export-dependent economies are also looking for signs that Congress could challenge Trump’s trade policies. Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries has called for lawmakers to reassert their authority over trade.

However, Trump retains substantial presidential powers and has promised to veto legislation he opposes.

The president said he expects to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18 and 19.

He indicated that nuclear disarmament and ending the Iran war would be among the issues discussed.

Former US diplomat Kurt Campbell suggested that the symbolism of such a meeting could be as important to Trump as its outcome.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned against major powers making agreements about Europe’s future without the countries affected having a say.

Analysts also believe Trump may revisit North Korea diplomacy as he looks for foreign policy achievements to shape his legacy.