Is China following Japan into the haven of Southeast Asian nations?

US adjusts trade policies in an attempt not to repeat Plaza Accord mistakes

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is flanked by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the G-20 leaders summit in Osaka in June 2019. © Reuters

TORU TAKAHASHI, Editor-in-Chief, Editorial Headquarters for Asia

January 18, 2020 11:45 JST

BANGKOK -- Even before the "phase one" trade deal was signed on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump was showing an eagerness to begin "phase two" negotiations.

While this indicates tensions are easing, the rest of the world is beginning to look at campaigns like Beijing's "Made in China 2025" strategy and conclude that the superpowers' battle is the new normal.