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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Trump Asia React TVR
HEADLINE: US Asia allies nervously await second Trump term
TEASER: Many see return to more transactional US approach
PUBLISHED: 11/07/24 Thursday at 6:44 am
BYLINE: William Gallo
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Gallo
PRODUCER: Jason Godman
SCRIPT EDITORS: Steve Hirsch, Decherd
VIDEO SOURCES: AFP, Reuters, Zoom
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:17
VID APPROVED BY: Decherd
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE: ))
((INTRO))
[[U.S. allies in Asia are congratulating Donald Trump on his decisive victory in Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election, but many in Asia also worry about what the return of his “America First” foreign policy means for their countries, as VOA’s Bill Gallo reports from Seoul, South Korea.]]
((VIDEO: AFP file of Trump and Kim shake hands in Singapore - V000_VID1195849_EN))
((NARRATOR))
In his first term as president, Donald Trump mixed high-profile threats with diplomacy as he pursued an unpredictable foreign policy.
((VIDEO: Reuters of Trump celebrating before or after acceptance speech - https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW757206112024RP1&share=true))
With Trump now returning to office, U.S. allies and partners in Asia are trying to figure out what “America First” Round 2 means for them.
((VIDEO: Reuters of Yoon briefing – https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW796507112024RP1&share=true))
In South Korea, President Yoon Suk Yeol was optimistic on Thursday, saying he and Trump will build a “perfect security posture.”
((VIDEO: Yoon soundbite – Reuters file above – first soundbite))
((Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korean President (In Korean, male voice) ))
“We talked about having strong solidarity and partnership in the Asia-Pacific and global region based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance.”
((VIDEO: AFP file of Trump and Kim signing document in Singapore - V000_VID1195849_EN))
((NARRATOR))
Many in Seoul are concerned Trump could strike a deal with North Korea, possibly without consulting the South.
((VIDEO: Reuters file of Trump with US troops in SK - https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2019%3Anewsml_VAALJ4BWN&share=true))
Trump has also continued to push South Korea to pay much more to host U.S. troops, leading many in Seoul to question just how committed Washington is to its defense.
((VIDEO: Reuters of Ishiba presser - https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW795207112024RP1&share=true))
Japan has similar worries, although Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called his first talks with Trump “very friendly.”
((VIDEO: Reuters of Ishiba with his old cabinet – looking gloomy at 5:03 https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW512627092023RP1&share=true))
Ishiba’s ruling party last month suffered a major election defeat. If he survives as prime minister, some fear a weakened Ishiba could have trouble pushing back on Trump's demands.
((For radio: Tomohiko Taniguchi is a Tokyo-based political analyst))
((VIDEO: Zoom interview with Taniguchi – Gallo will send))
((Tomohiko Taniguchi, Special Adviser, Fujitsu Future Studies Center (Male voice, English) ))
((Mandatory Zoom bug))
“To deal successfully with Mr. Trump, you need to be strong. You need to be well endowed with your political capital. And that's the thing that the Japanese leader – Ishiba, whoever – cannot show and cannot have.”
((VIDEO: Reuters of Taiwan President Lai - https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW077510102024RP1&share=true))
((NARRATOR))
In Taiwan, the government insisted its ties with the U.S. remain “rock solid.”
((VIDEO: Reuters Taiwan forces watching Chinese drills – on-screen courtesy ‘’Taiwan Coast Guard’’))
https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW156614102024RP1&share=true))
((Mandatory Courtesy: Taiwan Coast Guard))
But it also warned China may try to test the new U.S. president through continued military intimidation of the island.
((VIDEO: Reuters of recent Trump rally – https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW445924102024RP1&share=true))
Trump has sent mixed messages on Taiwan, complaining it steals U.S. manufacturing jobs and should pay if it wants U.S. protection.
((VIDEO: Trump and Xi file footage - begins at 5:30 https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2024%3Anewsml_RW780906112024RP1&share=true))
There are also widespread concerns about more Trump tariffs, and how an expanded U.S.-China trade war would affect the region.
((VIDEO: Gallo standup in Seoul - for house version, cover with AFP footage of Biden at recent Asia summit: V000_343Y6YD))
“Here in Asia many expect a transition away from the more values-based diplomacy of President Joe Biden toward something more transactional under Trump. But what exactly that looks like, is not clear. Bill Gallo. VOA News. Seoul, South Korea.”
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateNovember 7, 2024 06:48 EST
BylineWilliam Gallo
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
