The prospect of significant U.S. foreign policy change looms large for Asia as President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters promote 'America First' principles ahead of entering the White House next January. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Getty Images)

Asia unsettled as team Trump talks up 'common sense' foreign policy

New aide picks leave U.S. allies fretting on potential for pullback from past commitments

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

November 15, 2024 06:00 JST

WASHINGTON -- As Asia awaits the return of Donald Trump to the White House next January, U.S. allies across the region are racing to get up to speed with his new administration picks -- and where exactly they will draw the line in taking a new, "common sense" approach to foreign policy.

The day after Trump secured the presidency for the Republican Party, Sen. Marco Rubio focused the minds of U.S. allies and their Washington diplomats when he invoked what he called common sense in calling for an end to war in Ukraine.