The Indo-Pacific remains a shining beacon of hope in the United States’ otherwise dim foreign policy predictions. However, just like during President Donald Trump’s first term, securing U.S. interests through trade and reshaping international partnerships accordingly will remain a priority. To ensure U.S. trade, critical military, and technology supply chains, his foreign policies in the Indo-Pacific will remain driven by military engagements. 

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called China the most formidable adversary the U.S. has faced. He also noted that the challenges prompting the Quad’s revival under Trump’s first administration have only intensified. The Quad is a grouping of four countries – Australia, India, Japan, and the United States – that have been tightening their cooperation with the goal of ensuring “a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable, and prosperous.”

With Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, among others, the Trump administration has shown a commitment to remain engaged in the region to deter Chinese belligerence. While the trade competition between the United States and China will likely increase with Trump’s protectionist policies, Trump (along with Xi Jinping) has made statements regarding cooperation between the two countries. However, the red lines on long-standing issues such as technology sharing, critical technology sectors, and Taiwan remain. Taiwan will be a central issue for the Trump administration. 

The new administration’s first major foreign policy initiative was a meeting of the Quad........

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