The Brookings Institution and the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) are hosting a webinar on U.S. trade policy [1, 2].
This discussion arrives as the intersection of commerce and national security becomes a primary driver of diplomatic relations between Washington and Asian capitals. The shift toward prioritizing economic security over traditional free-trade principles has fundamentally altered how the U.S. engages with its regional partners.
Experts from the Center for Asia Policy Studies at Brookings and RIETI will explore how the Trump administration inserted economic-security goals into the broader U.S. trade framework [1, 2]. The panel aims to assess how these specific policy changes have impacted Asian counterparts and the nature of their bilateral agreements [1, 2].
According to the organizers, the session will examine the implementation challenges associated with these new trade goals [1, 2]. The panel will specifically gauge the broader implications for economic security across the region, a move that reflects a transition toward a more securitized approach to global trade.
By analyzing the trade-economic security nexus, the participants intend to map out how these agreements will shape future U.S.–Asia relations [1, 2]. This involves looking at the tension between maintaining open markets and protecting critical technologies, or supply chains, from perceived adversaries.
The webinar serves as a forum for policymakers and academics to evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies [1, 2]. It focuses on whether the integration of security objectives into trade policy has strengthened U.S. influence or created friction with key Asian allies [1, 2].
“The Trump administration inserted economic-security goals into U.S. trade policy.”
This shift indicates that the U.S. no longer views trade solely through the lens of economic efficiency or market access. By merging trade policy with national security objectives, the U.S. is signaling that the resilience of supply chains and the protection of sensitive technology are now paramount, potentially leading to more restrictive trade environments in Asia.
