Asia Society Presents 'President Trump & Asia' Program Series

NEW YORK, December 12, 2016 — Asia Society presents a special series of programs, reports, and online content, President Trump & Asia, to examine challenges and opportunities facing the new Administration in Asia and the world, and to drive creative thinking and specific recommendations for U.S. policy.

"We launch this important series at a time of change for the U.S., Asia and indeed for the world," says Asia Society President and CEO Josette Sheeran. "Long-held assumptions are being challenged across the world, and questions regarding the future of U.S. policy are being asked in Washington and in every Asian capital. All this comes as Asia plays host to some of the most complex and dangerous tensions on the planet. In a very real sense, we find the mission set forth by our founder John D. Rockefeller 3rd 60 years ago – to build bridges of understanding between the U.S. and Asia — more relevant than ever."

The President Trump & Asia series aims to identify key challenges in the region facing the new Administration — from maritime disputes to a nuclear North Korea, from economic concerns raised by a China “bubble” to the consequences of a U.S. withdrawal from the TPP, from issues involving infrastructure and sustainability, to the ramifications of a new U.S. approaches to the Iran deal and the Paris climate accord. Asia Society will engage a broad and global audience — through public events, reports and online as well — to tackle the fundamental questions: What will a Trump Administration mean for the global order and for Asia? Which of his campaign pledges and statements will become actual policy? Where are the opportunities for finding common ground? What do the initial appointments and statements of the Trump Administration signify for the road forward?

The President Trump & Asia series kicks off with the publication on December 13 of an Asia Society Policy Institute briefing book titled Advice for the 45th President: Opinions from Across the Pacific. This timely report includes policy recommendations from a half dozen thought leaders across Asia.

A series of specifically-themed events will be held throughout Asia Society's global network, including:

• December 13, in Washington, D.C. — Asia Society Policy Institute President Kevin Rudd and Vice President Wendy Cutler launch the briefing book comprised of policy memos from senior experts and former officials from across Asia, with a discussion amongst Asian ambassadors to the U.S., including Ambassador Ahn Ho-young of the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Joe Hockey of Australia and Ambassador Ashok Mirpuri of the Republic of Singapore;
• December 13, in New York, a special “Asia 2017 Forecast”, led by Asia Society President Josette Sheeran, Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski, together with former National Security Council official Evan Medeiros and Ruchir Sharma, head of Emerging Markets for Morgan Stanley;
• January 25, in New York, a special Asia Society Town Meeting held in conjunction with the Inauguration week, featuring Asia Society Trustees and Senior Leadership, leading members of the U.S.-based diplomatic, policy and business community, and members of Asia Society’s global network;
• May 10, in New York, a look at the Trump Administration’s First 100 Days, with Eurasia Group CEO Ian Bremmer;
• Other single-themed public programs will held in the first months of 2017.

A series of policy recommendations and programs will also be put forth by the Asia Society Center on U.S.-China Relations, looking at the future of the U.S.-China relationship.

A curated selection of brief “Messages to the President” submitted from across the Asia Society global network including Trustees, and members of our Global Council and our Asia 21 Young Leaders Network will be featured on AsiaSociety.org.

For more information about the President Trump & Asia series, visit AsiaSociety.org/TrumpandAsia.

About Asia Society
Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United Sates in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future. Find out more at AsiaSociety.org.