Trump’s actions erode diplomatic gains in countering China’s influence
4 Min Read
Trump's aggressive trade and immigration policies are straining crucial alliances with South Korea and India.
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A protester wearing a mask of US President Donald Trump attends a rally against the detention of South Korean workers during an immigration raid in Georgia, near the US Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025. (AP)
US President Trump's aggressive trade and immigration policies are creating unexpected friction with some of America's most important Asian allies, potentially weakening the coalition needed to counter China's rising influence. Foreign policy experts are raising concerns that these diplomatic rifts could have lasting consequences beyond Trump's presidency.
The most dramatic recent incident occurred at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in Georgia, where hundreds of South Korean workers were detained over visa issues. Some workers were reportedly shackled during the investigation, creating powerful imagery that shocked the South Korean public.
According to Bong Youngshik, a professor at Seoul's Yonsei University who spoke to the Associated Press, "Damage has already been done as anti-American sentiment is clearly on the rise." The incident occurred just weeks after Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, adding to the sense of betrayal felt in Seoul.
The professor warned that this creates a "ticking time bomb," noting that "it will become extremely difficult for South Korean companies to send their employees to the United States." This poses a significant challenge since Trump has simultaneously been pushing South Korea to increase industrial investments in America.
Deteriorating relationship with India
Perhaps more surprising is the deterioration in US-India relations, given the previously warm relationship between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump imposed tariffs on India as punishment for purchasing Russian oil during the Ukraine war, while also growing closer to Pakistan, India's regional rival.
The tension reached a public peak when Modi was photographed with Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a security summit. Trump responded on social media, writing, "Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!"
Eric Garcetti, who served as US ambassador to India under President Biden, told the Associated Press that while years of diplomacy won't be completely reversed, "a lot of damage can be done." He warned it would be a "very lonely world" if the US and India were not aligned.
Broader regional concerns
The diplomatic tensions extend beyond individual incidents. Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who spoke to the Associated Press, explained that "treaty allies are developing fallback options if the United States disengages from the region. Some partners are hedging by cultivating better relationships with China."
Cooper noted that most countries in the region believe Washington's current approach "will outlast the Trump administration," suggesting these aren't temporary policy adjustments but potentially lasting shifts in American foreign policy.
China's strategic position
While Trump has occasionally taken tough stances toward China and threatened steep tariffs, both nations have stepped back from full confrontation. In a statement, China's embassy in Washington said that the country "never engages in zero-sum games" but rather "is committed to maintaining world peace, stability and development."
The diplomatic fractures with allies could inadvertently benefit Beijing's regional influence, as traditional US partners explore alternative relationships.
Potential consequences
These tensions threaten several important initiatives, including Trump's planned visit to India for a Quad summit involving Japan and Australia. The Quad partnership is specifically designed as a counterweight to Chinese influence in the region.
Rick Rossow from the Center for Strategic and International Studies told the Associated Press that while the US-India relationship is at "a low point," such moments "always feel like they are more significant than they actually are."
Despite the current tensions, there are signs that relationships could be repaired. Trump recently called Modi "my very good friend" when announcing continued trade talks, and Modi responded by calling the countries "close friends and natural partners."
