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1 [1] (December 14, 2018)

handle is hein.crs/govycm0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Cogesoa Resarc Servic 0 December 14, 2018 The Asia Pacific: Challenges and Opportunities for U.S. Policy The Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) Congress has the ability to shape the United States' approach to Asia, where economic, security, and political trends are challenging U.S. leadership and interests. The Trump Administration has promoted a strategy of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) that frames U.S. policy in the region as a multi-faceted competition against China. China in recent years has expanded its presence in its broad maritime periphery while pursuing an ambitious plan to build economic corridors across the Eurasian continent. Under the FOIP strategy, the Administration has emphasized strategic relations with countries that share its concerns about China's growing influence, including Japan, Australia, and India. The Administration also has promoted several infrastructure initiatives as alternatives to Chinese- funded projects, which it has described as predatory and debt traps. Notwithstanding the FOIP policy, President Trump's overall foreign policy approach has deepened many Asian leaders' questions about the credibility of the U.S. commitment to the region. In particular, governments have expressed concern about President Trump's 2017 withdrawal from the proposed 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement; his application of unilateral tariffs against trading partners including China, Japan, and South Korea; his comments and policy moves that may undermine U.S. alliances; and his tendency to change policy positions. The tools Congress may use to influence U.S. policy in Asia include oversight through hearings and investigations; the Senate confirmation process; the authorizing and appropriations processes; other legislative directives and restrictions; resolutions and policy statements; inspectors general; reporting requirements; program evaluation; and informal advice and pressure. The Asia Pacific: Key Facts * Five U.S. treaty allies are in the Asia Pacific: Australia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. Over 74,000 U.S. troops are deployed in the region. * In 2017, four Asian economies were among the top 10 U.S. trading partners: China (no. 1), Japan (no. 4), South Korea (no. 6), India (no. 9). China was the world's fastest growing economy in 2017, while India's growth rate is expected to outpace China's in 2018 and 2019. * Asia is home to the United States' closest competitor in economic size and military strength, China; the world's most populous democracy, India; and the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation and third-most populous democracy, Indonesia. * Asia includes five nations with nuclear weapons arsenals: China and Russia, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council; India and Pakistan, which are bitter rivals; and North Korea. * Asian nations, including U.S. allies and partners, are involved in major territorial disputes with China and among themselves in the South China Sea and East China Sea, as well as along the India-China and India- Pakistan borders. Another potential flashpoint is Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of China. Emerging Trends * The balance of economic power in the region continues to shift. By 2030, many economists predict that China will overtake the United States to become the world's largest economy in nominal terms. By the same date, some predict that India might displace Japan as the third largest. The economic and, to a lesser extent, military rise of India exacerbates national security fears in Pakistan and is being monitored warily in Beijing. * China is increasingly asserting influence through regional economic and financial initiatives. It is championing its Belt and Road initiative (BRI), an effort to boost infrastructure development and economic connectivity-and expand China's influence-among more than 65 countries on three continents. The most prominent BRI project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, could comprise up to $62 billion in investment. China is also promoting the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a proposed regional trade agreement that does not include the United States. In 2015, China launched a new development bank, the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); membership includes 14 G-20 members. * In 2016 and 2017, North Korea conducted scores of missile tests and three nuclear weapons tests, demonstrating it may be close if not already capable of striking the continental United States with a nuclear- armed ballistic missile. After a period of hostile statements in 2017, the Trump Administration in 2018 has pursued a diplomatic solution to denuclearize North Korea. A U.S.-North Korea summit, as well as three inter-Korean summits, have eased tensions and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has publicly stated that he will work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but progress toward resolution has remained elusive. Meanwhile, U.S. alliances with South Korea and Japan face strains as U.S. priorities diverge from Seoul's and Tokyo's top concerns. * Military spending in the region is rising, with China seeking greater power projection capabilities and other nations seeking to enhance their security amid questions https://crsreports.congress go

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