Less than three weeks into the Trump era, something perverse is dawning on Asian leaders. Rather an unmitigated disaster for the region, the new U.S. leader may be a political godsend.
Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is free to see his testy chat with U.S. President Donald Trump as an affront to one of the developed world's tightest alliances. Or Turnbull could consider how the spat, if properly exploited, could boost his flagging support rate. Trump's bizarre suggestion that Down Under, as part of a refugee deal, might export the "next Boston bomber" gives Turnbull's party (with which Turnbull isn't very popular) a rallying cry and an opportunity to bolster Australia's soft power as America's dims. Increased popularity at home may give Turnbull greater confidence and political capital to accelerate reforms to increase competitiveness, tweak taxes and reduce Australia's overreliance on China.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak could lash out at Trump's travel ban on behalf of one of the most progressive Muslim-majority nations. Instead, he should revel in the kleptocracy billionaire Trump and his kids appear to be building. Before long, Najib can push back at overseas investigators scrutinizing 1Malaysia Development Bhd and say "Uuuhhh, what about Trump Inc. turning the White House into a board room." The foreign media gives Najibistan's corruption and fake news a hard time, and rightfully so. Trumpistan, anyone?