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Top public servant warns against US using 'arbitrary power' in Asia Top public servant warns against US using 'arbitrary power' in Asia Top public servant warns against US using 'arbitrary power' in Asia
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Australia’s most powerful public servant has sounded a warning that the US risks losing the gains it has made from economic diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region following the election of Donald Trump.Australia’s most powerful public servant has sounded a warning that the US risks losing the gains it has made from economic diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region following the election of Donald Trump.
Martin Parkinson, the head of the department of prime minister and cabinet, used a speech on Wednesday to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia to counter Trump’s isolationist and protectionist rhetoric.Martin Parkinson, the head of the department of prime minister and cabinet, used a speech on Wednesday to the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia to counter Trump’s isolationist and protectionist rhetoric.
While the prime minister was out in Canberra welcoming the proposed US military buildup in the Asia-Pacific – which has been flagged by the incoming Trump administration – his departmental head was in Sydney making a powerful argument for the importance of continuing economic diplomacy in the region, which he said was a more effective means of engagement than displays of “arbitrary power.”While the prime minister was out in Canberra welcoming the proposed US military buildup in the Asia-Pacific – which has been flagged by the incoming Trump administration – his departmental head was in Sydney making a powerful argument for the importance of continuing economic diplomacy in the region, which he said was a more effective means of engagement than displays of “arbitrary power.”
Parkinson used the Trans Pacific Partnership, the American-led trade pact initiated by the Obama administration that Trump has vowed to scrap, to make the point that the “open multilateralism” underpinning the TPP “has been a hallmark of US economic diplomacy over the decades.”Parkinson used the Trans Pacific Partnership, the American-led trade pact initiated by the Obama administration that Trump has vowed to scrap, to make the point that the “open multilateralism” underpinning the TPP “has been a hallmark of US economic diplomacy over the decades.”
He said the standards built into the agreement “could set the bar for trade agreements for decades to come.”He said the standards built into the agreement “could set the bar for trade agreements for decades to come.”
“But the TPP is more than a trade deal; it is a sign of US strategic commitment to our region. US secretary of Defence Ash Carter said the TPP is worth an additional aircraft carrier as a sign of strategic commitment.”“But the TPP is more than a trade deal; it is a sign of US strategic commitment to our region. US secretary of Defence Ash Carter said the TPP is worth an additional aircraft carrier as a sign of strategic commitment.”
Parkinson said it was not yet clear what would become of the TPP “but we do know that we have all benefited from the US inclination over decades for international rules over the exercise of arbitrary power.”Parkinson said it was not yet clear what would become of the TPP “but we do know that we have all benefited from the US inclination over decades for international rules over the exercise of arbitrary power.”
“Global rules and norms have allowed businesses, and even countries, to specialise in production and for investment to flow where it is most valued.”“Global rules and norms have allowed businesses, and even countries, to specialise in production and for investment to flow where it is most valued.”
In the lead up to the presidential election Australia lobbied hard for the TPP to be passed by the US congress in the lame duck session, before the inauguration on January 20, but the prime minister muted his statements of support for the trade pact after Trump emerged victorious last week.In the lead up to the presidential election Australia lobbied hard for the TPP to be passed by the US congress in the lame duck session, before the inauguration on January 20, but the prime minister muted his statements of support for the trade pact after Trump emerged victorious last week.
Turnbull, post-election, has noted Trump is implacably opposed to the TPP.Turnbull, post-election, has noted Trump is implacably opposed to the TPP.
Turnbull has, however, welcomed the new administration’s inclination to expand the US navy into the region – a move that will be considered provocative by China.Turnbull has, however, welcomed the new administration’s inclination to expand the US navy into the region – a move that will be considered provocative by China.
Trump advisers have flagged a desire to increase the US navy from 274 ships to 350 and to deploy more extensively in the region to counter China’s growing assertiveness.Trump advisers have flagged a desire to increase the US navy from 274 ships to 350 and to deploy more extensively in the region to counter China’s growing assertiveness.
While welcoming the show of force, the government has not yet answered questions about what Australia would do if prevailed upon to host more American defence assets or personnel, or whether we would participate in joint exercises with the US navy in the South China Sea.While welcoming the show of force, the government has not yet answered questions about what Australia would do if prevailed upon to host more American defence assets or personnel, or whether we would participate in joint exercises with the US navy in the South China Sea.