The
upcoming 2012 presidential election is fast becoming the election that forgot
foreign policy, and understandably so, as the American economy continues to
struggle.
Republicans will hope to use next year’s
election as a referendum on President Obama’s handling of the economy, while
Democrats will battle to convince voters to give their president another four
years.
Yet, while all of this is happening, the world
is business as usual. There is the potential conflict between Israel and Iran,
the ever-present threat of a nuclear North Korea, and an increasingly assertive
China in the Asia-Pacific. If these past Republican primary debates are any
indication of what this election will be about, the electorate might be lucky
to have a brief discussion on Israel and Iran.
However, let us focus on China since the
subject of American job creation and protection almost always involves China.
Whispered or spoken aloud are fears that America is in decline. Yet, there is
little reason to believe that the US’s current predicament is irreversible, or
that China’s rise will necessarily and permanently overtake America. Not that
these fears are unfounded – America is indeed in a crisis – they are simply
misdirected. It is not the Chinese economy that the US should be concerned
with; rather, it is their expansionist policy in Asia. As long as they bury
their heads in the sand at home, they are blind to developments occurring
around the world; and where have we heard this story before?
If Republicans and Democrats are divided on
domestic policy, they should at the very least present a coherent and united
approach on how best to approach China. Right now, foreign policy is a
short-term game as politicians decide what moves they can and cannot make,
based not on the long-term interest of the nation but on their chances next
year. ‘What must I do to get elected or re-elected’?
But that’s the wrong question to ask. This is
not the United States of Republicans or the United States of Democrats – it is
the United States of America. Regardless of one’s political stance, there must
only be one American foreign policy, a strictly American approach to the world
that transcends political boundaries. An idealistic point of view, sure, but
America was founded on such idealism. There was nothing pessimistic about the Revolutionary
War, which brought about American independence.
Future US foreign policy is anchored in Asia,
and China is the undisputed regional power. As such, any US foreign policy in
Asia will undoubtedly take into account China’s presence. Before we begin,
however, we must ask ourselves, “Why is the US afraid of China?” To be blunt,
we shouldn’t be afraid, and we shouldn’t somehow find it strange or frightening
that China wants to play a larger role in the world.
Is the concern centered on the question over
whether the rise of China will see the continued loss of American jobs? Without
sounding callous, nature abhors a vacuum. Whatever jobs lost now will be
replaced by different jobs. If not that, then is the US afraid that China, as
an economic powerhouse, will eventually dominate the US? Such fears were raised
against Japan in the 1980s, and look how that turned out. America is still an
economic superpower.
The truth is that it is not China’s economic
growth the US should fear, but the manner in which China has conducted itself
in the Asia Pacific. Had China simply played fair and by the rules, such fears
would be groundless. However, fair play and rules are situational, as evidenced
in the maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Freedom of navigation in the South China Sea
is a matter of international concern and requires international scrutiny.
However, China is content on pursuing bilateral negotiations with its neighbors
only, rather than open these disputes to the world at large. If this should be
the Pacific Century, China must conduct itself in a manner that is consistent
with the responsibilities accorded. What China wants is peace, prosperity, and
respect; but if this is what they want then they cannot run roughshod over their
neighbors.
So what about that American foreign policy?
The US can’t ignore its current economic
difficulties at home, but it also can’t ignore the world either. It can’t
pretend the world is at a standstill while it tries to figure out who will become
its next president. It should be the goal of any American foreign policy in
Asia-Pacific to strengthen and build relationships with its regional allies and
secure the peace. This means the US must respect and work alongside China
towards achieving stability and security in the Pacific; but it must also
continue to confront China, respectfully, on human rights violations and
anti-democratic actions, never mind maritime activities in the South China Sea.
How the US proceeds and what it decides to do
will lie in the hands of its leaders, but it must address China.
The upcoming 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, provides a perfect
opportunity for the US to engage in meaningful dialogue with China. More than
just dialogue, however, it provides an opportunity for concrete steps by both
countries to be taken. It’s time to tackle the situation head-on.
Deeds, not words, but all we’ve seen from the
US’s political leaders has been a lot of talk. Joint-military exercises with
American allies in the Pacific can only do so much. Ambiguous gestures of
support and empty words have done little to slow China’s assertiveness in the
South China Sea. If the US wishes to remain relevant in the Pacific then it’s
time for America to lead.
Just how much can get done at APEC? Given the
specific nature of the conference (dealing primarily with economic issues),
Chinese expansionist policy will likely take a back seat to more urgent economic
matters at hand. This is understandable, of course; but with the world leaders
of APEC nations coming together, there is potential for significant actions.
This APEC conference is supposed to be a defining moment for America and the
Pacific, but if little is achieved at this conference then what was the point?
These conferences are wonderful opportunities
for world leaders to talk about grand ideas, but it would be even better if
these grand ideas were translated into real action.
The America of today isn’t the same as the
America 10 years ago. It is significantly constrained by an economic crisis,
political divisiveness, and a general sense of uncertainty. Republicans and
Democrats can argue who best should run the country; but in the end the president,
Republican or Democrat, will have to deal with an increasingly assertive China.
The American people must be reminded that there is a world beyond its shores
and simply closing eyes and retreating into isolation is not an option. It has
done this before, with disastrous consequences.
Khanh Vu Duc
Asia Sentinel
(Khanh Vu Duc is a Vietnamese Canadian lawyer
in Ottawa, focusing on various areas of law. He researches on International
Relations and International Law. He serves as President of the VDK Law Office
and the VDK Investment Consulting Group.)
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