The first 100 days of Donald Trump’s administration created uncertainty about the trajectory of US foreign policy towards Asia and Australia. While there was a good deal of continuity in America’s principal security guarantees towards Japan, South Korea and Australia, there were also significant changes to Asia policy.
With the Trans-Pacific Partnership cancelled and the ‘rebalance to Asia’ called off, what can we expect from the new administration in the Asia-Pacific? And how should Australia and its leaders react? Trump has already spurred a reinvigorated debate in Australia about the US alliance and our place in the region, making public discussion of US-Asia-Australia relations more important than ever.
This event entailed a broad-ranging conversation about US Asia policy and Australia-US relations with Ambassador David B. Shear and other distinguished local and international experts.
Ambassador David B. Shear
Former US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
David Shear was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs from September, 2014 to January, 2017, with responsibility for defense and security policy in the Asia and Pacific region.
Adjunct Associate Professor James Brown
Director, Foreign Policy, Defence and Strategy (leave of absence), United States Studies Centre
James Brown is Director, Foreign Policy, Defence and Strategy of the US Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He is currently on leave without pay until 2018 to perform the voluntary role of President, RSL NSW.
Dr Zack Cooper
Senior Fellow for Asian Security, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Dr Zack Cooper is senior fellow for Asian security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Cooper has authored numerous CSIS studies, including Asia-Pacific Rebalance 2025: Capabilities, Presence, and Partnerships; The ANZUS Alliance in an Ascending Asia; Federated Defense in Asia; Assessing the Asia-Pacific Rebalance; and Strategic Japan: New Approaches to Foreign Policy and the U.S.-Japan Alliance.
Julie B. Sheetz
Global Force Planner, Office of the Secretary of Defense
Julie Sheetz is a Global Force Planner in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, focusing on United States force posture in the Asia-Pacific, including agreements with allies and partners, the footprint for US forces in the region, and the combination of force structure – in personnel and capabilities – stationed in this critical area.
Ashley Townshend
Acting Director, Foreign Policy, Defence and Strategy, United States Studies Centre
Ashley Townshend is Acting Director, Foreign Policy, Defence and Strategy at the United States Studies Centre. He works on US-Asia relations, alliance politics, and international security. He also lectures at the University of Sydney and previously worked at the Lowy Institute for International Policy.
