China Moves to Fill U.S. Void in Asia

China Moves to Fill U.S. Void in Asia

May 7, 2026 · 40 min · Season 3 · Episode 20

About this episode

Derek Grossman discusses the impact of Trump's foreign policy on Asia's security landscape and the challenges facing U.S.-China relations.

U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Asia next week for a highly anticipated summit with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Trump will be returning to a region he's personally transformed through his challenges to the international order, tariffs, and now the Iran war that's hit Asia's energy sector especially hard. The U.S.-led security architecture across the Asia-Pacific is also showing signs of real strain, as alliances fray and the institutions set up to counter China are on the verge of collapse. Derek Grossman, a prominent U.S.-Asia scholar at the University of Southern California and CGSP's non-resident fellow for the Asia-Pacific, argues that the Quad security partnership is now "on the brink of extinction." Derek joins Eric to discuss how 18 months of Trump's foreign policy have reshaped Asia's security landscape. 📌 Topics Covered in this Episode Trump-Xi summit and the future of U.S.-China relations Taiwan tensions and fears over U.S. security commitments The possible collapse of the Quad alliance strategy How Southeast Asian countries are balancing China and the U.S. China's growing influence in Indonesia, Thailand, and ASEAN Why Asian allies are questioning…

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