SINGAPORE — Asian economies that have benefited from trade liberalization in recent years tend to prefer U.S. Republican administrations over Democratic ones because the former are seen as having a more consistent commitment to free trade. Now that Barack Obama is president-elect with a sizable Democratic majority in Congress, much of Asia is nervous about what this may portend for trade relations and economic growth.

During the campaign, Obama outlined policy positions that reveal serious reservations about some of the Bush administration's trade deals that are in place or pending, including the free-trade agreement with South Korea negotiated last year. It has yet to be ratified.

Unions that backed Obama during the campaign support his refrain to stop the loss of more jobs as American companies outsource services and manufacturing overseas to cut costs. With recession deepening in the United States, there is a real risk of rising protectionist sentiment as politicians reflect public discontent.