"But he might equally decide to adopt a firm military stance on a country he thinks regards America as weak." Newly elected Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte cosied up to China during a trip to the country last month, and has threatened to sever military relations with Washington. The prospect of an isolationist US under President Trump could quicken that trickle as the developing countries of Southeast Asia see Beijing -- with its fiscal largesse and huge consumer base -- as a better bet than a protectionist US. "Trump has not expressed his position on the South China Sea problem," said Jia Qingguo, head of the Beijing University School of International Relations. "Since Trump has been elected President, uncertainty in Sino-US relations has increased across the board," Jia said.

Source: The Nation Bangkok November 11, 2016 10:30 UTC