Reuters, Tokyo :
A day after Donald Trump became U.S. President and vowed to put “America First”, Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.
In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said U.S. workers have been devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a divisive campaign that emphasized making America strong again.
In Japan, one of Washington’s oldest and staunchest Asian allies, newspapers across the political spectrum criticised the new administration, with more than one saying the world was now in “unpredictable territory.”
“Has there ever been a new U.S. administration that began by spreading unease, not expectations, throughout the world?” said the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun, adding that Trump appeared ready to take both alliances and global norms lightly if they didn’t benefit the United States.
The liberal Asahi Shimbun went further and said Trump, who called on allies like Japan and South Korea to shoulder a greater share of defense costs or face the possible withdrawal of U.S. troops, posed a risk to the freer global order born after World War Two and the Cold War.
“Will the unpredictable Trump whirlwind cross the U.S. borders to spread division and conflict? The new master of the White House must realise the heavy responsibility that accompanies his words and actions”, it said.
State media in China, accused of stealing U.S. jobs during Trump’s campaign, said they hoped his government understood the importance of relations with China but that Beijing should also brace for the worst.
“What’s crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to resolve them,” said the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily.
Worry about friction between the two superpowers loomed over many in the region.
“As an exporting nation reliant on both China and the U.S., we would suffer from greater U.S. protectionism and any trade war,” said the Sydney Morning Herald.
Thousands of Australians marked the start of Donald Trump’s presidency with a protest march and many said they feared the new U.S. leader could stir up hatred and bigotry.
Protesters at the Women’s March rally in Sydney’s central Hyde Park on Saturday carried placards with slogans including “Women of the world resist,” “Feminism is my trump card” and “Fight like a girl.”
Organizer Mindy Freiband told the crowd “this is the beginning of something, not the end.” She says hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America’s problems.
A day after Donald Trump became U.S. President and vowed to put “America First”, Asian media decried his isolationist policies, fearing they will chill the global economy and sow widespread international discord.
In a defiant inaugural address, Trump said U.S. workers have been devastated by an outflow of jobs overseas, one of the main themes of a divisive campaign that emphasized making America strong again.
In Japan, one of Washington’s oldest and staunchest Asian allies, newspapers across the political spectrum criticised the new administration, with more than one saying the world was now in “unpredictable territory.”
“Has there ever been a new U.S. administration that began by spreading unease, not expectations, throughout the world?” said the conservative Yomiuri Shimbun, adding that Trump appeared ready to take both alliances and global norms lightly if they didn’t benefit the United States.
The liberal Asahi Shimbun went further and said Trump, who called on allies like Japan and South Korea to shoulder a greater share of defense costs or face the possible withdrawal of U.S. troops, posed a risk to the freer global order born after World War Two and the Cold War.
“Will the unpredictable Trump whirlwind cross the U.S. borders to spread division and conflict? The new master of the White House must realise the heavy responsibility that accompanies his words and actions”, it said.
State media in China, accused of stealing U.S. jobs during Trump’s campaign, said they hoped his government understood the importance of relations with China but that Beijing should also brace for the worst.
“What’s crucial is to control and manage disputes and find a way to resolve them,” said the overseas edition of the ruling Communist Party’s official People’s Daily.
Worry about friction between the two superpowers loomed over many in the region.
“As an exporting nation reliant on both China and the U.S., we would suffer from greater U.S. protectionism and any trade war,” said the Sydney Morning Herald.
Thousands of Australians marked the start of Donald Trump’s presidency with a protest march and many said they feared the new U.S. leader could stir up hatred and bigotry.
Protesters at the Women’s March rally in Sydney’s central Hyde Park on Saturday carried placards with slogans including “Women of the world resist,” “Feminism is my trump card” and “Fight like a girl.”
Organizer Mindy Freiband told the crowd “this is the beginning of something, not the end.” She says hatred, bigotry and racism are not only America’s problems.
