Recommendations to the Trump Administration regarding U.S. Policies and Actions in Asia

SUMMARY

The Asian Affairs Committee (Angus F. Ni, Chair) issued a report to the Trump Administration calling on the new administration to make a commitment to the rule of law and human rights in Asia.  The report recommends that these should operate as guiding principles for the administration’s engagement with the Asian region and outlines areas of concern for calling for special attention.  In particular, the Committee urges the administration to promote and support rule of law and treaty-based dispute resolution mechanisms and the use of tribunals and courts operating under international law, and to condemn attacks and crackdowns on lawyers and activists.  It also highlights areas where it believes the U.S. can play an important role in facilitating regional progress on human rights, including the condemnation of the use of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines and the adoption of a concerted strategy to address efforts led by the Chinese government to restrict internet freedom and promote state sovereignty over the internet.  Finally, the Committee encourages the continued support for civil society actors across the region: financially, politically, and through its support for media organizations which offer a counterpoint to domestic authoritarian government narratives.