This U.S. election is focused on everything from taxes to immigration walls to sexual predation to email servers. Odd that one of the biggest stakes of 2016 — Asia — barely gets mentioned.
When this region does come up, it tends to be all bellicosity all the time. Republican Donald Trump has taken rhetorical swipes at China's currency, Japanese trade, South Korean security arrangements, a U.S.-led regional trade deal he abhors, Indonesia having the audacity to host a young Barack Obama in the 1970s, you name it. Democrat Hillary Clinton has tried to reassure a region President Obama sought to charm. Generally, Clinton's message has been "don't worry Asia, America still likes you."
Recent events show Asia has doubts, and some big ones at that. Take Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte turning his back on Washington in favor of China's open checkbook. Duterte called for a "separation" from its longtime ally, prompting U.S. lawmakers to pull the plug on the sale of 26,000 rifles to the Philippine National Police. Washington "is disrespecting (us). Just look at those monkeys!" Duterte screamed.