What does Obama's second mandate mean for Asia?

Based on earlier reports, many Asian countries were expecting that Barack Obama will win a second mandate. Despite a strong anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, Afghanistan and scores in China and India, majority of Asians support the American President when it comes to his Asian policies. He is also seen as an embodiment of the great American dream not only for Americans but by others outside the country.

Students pose near a life-size cut-out of the US President Barack Obama in Chennai, India after Obama was re-elected US President in Nov 6. (Press Trust of India photo)

The way Obama (who doesn’t have political lineage or money) catapulted to presidency not only gave inspiration to common people or minority Americans but to all the young people in the world that they too are capable of becoming a leader one day.

But what about his engagement with Asia? Many thought that he will go all the way in embracing Asia as an extension of America because of his affinity with Indonesia and his exposure with Asian culture in Hawaii where he grew up. But solving domestic problems should be prioritized to appease the Americans who have been hit hard after the George Bush administration and the Wall Street guys messed it up badly.

Indonesia for one was frustrated when Obama’s visit early on his presidency was never followed up with another visit or a stronger bilateral relationship. However, other countries in Southeast Asia are happy with its relationship with the US, notably the Philippines and Japan, two strategic countries for the US military presence in Asia. Of course, this bilateral relationship has China against the background. Up to the last days of the election campaign, the US’s China policy was at the center of the debates between him and Republican Mitt Romney. Obama said America has to stand tougher against China’s aggressive military power and deal with the lopsided trade investments between the two countries. But with all his rhetoric, Obama or anyone in his administration does not intend to start a cold war with China. The US, for all intents and purposes wants to maintain hegemony with Asia’s fastest rising power.

While the US always has a kind of competitive relationship with China, it is not so with India. While China’s expansion threatens not just America but many Asian countries, India’s rise is very limited and does not intimidate its Asian neighbors (maybe to some extent Pakistan). The continent maintains goodwill with the US although lately, it got some criticisms from Obama that India lacks a good investment climate since it is still limited when it comes to foreign direct investments.

Another Asian country that will be in the radar under the second Obama administration is Burma, which has recently opened up. Having a strong US pressure of embargo and political condemnation, President Thein Sein (seen as a reformist) finally gave in and promised to slowly bring Burma to light. Soon enough, the US was among the first countries that lifted economic sanctions against Burma. US businesses such as the oil giant Chevron is among the first American businesses that have shown interest in Burma.

With an Obama win this time, engagement in Asia will continue and will even increase as soon as domestic problems in the US ease over time (let’s hope). If Mitt Romney won, there will be full of uncertainty.