Mike Pompeo keeps up pressure on China despite cutting short Asia trip after Donald Trump’s coronavirus positive

US Secretary of State will still meet counterparts from Japan, India and Australia, the other members of the so-called Quad

His Asia tour, although shortened, will raise concerns about China’s growing strategic influence abroad

Reading Time:3 minutes

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will head to Tokyo on Sunday, where he will meet counterparts from Australia, India and Japan. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:01pm, 4 Oct 2020Updated: 11:20pm, 4 Oct 2020

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cut short his Asia trip after Donald Trump and other senior officials tested positive for Covid-19.

The State Department confirmed he will still visit Tokyo on Sunday, where he will meet counterparts from Australia, India and Japan for security talks between the strategic Quad grouping, seen as a response to growing Chinese power.

However, he has cancelled plans to visit South Korea and Mongolia.

Shi Yinhong, an international relations expert from Renmin University in Beijing, said Pompeo’s shortened trip to Asia would not change the anti-China “new normal” heralded by the Trump administration.

“The big picture remains the same that the US is pushing the Quad as a new frontline to go against China,” Shi said.

“The US will actively form and enhance anti-China alliances with other countries in the region – Mongolia, for instance, may build closer ties with Japan and the US in the future,” he said.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x