Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for the top diplomatic position in East Asia has underscored his commitment to advancing “commercial diplomacy” with Indo-Pacific nations if confirmed. This aligns with Trump’s objectives of minimizing America’s trade deficit, drawing in foreign investments, and bolstering domestic manufacturing capabilities.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during a Senate confirmation hearing, Michael DeSombre, the proposed assistant secretary of state for East Asia and the Pacific, outlined three major priorities for the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. These include fostering collaboration with allies and partners to enhance deterrence and counteract adversarial activities. DeSombre stated, “First, to promote U.S. strength and security by working closely with our allies, partners and friends in the Indo-Pacific to enhance deterrence and counter malign activities by our adversaries. Second, to promote U.S. prosperity through robust commercial diplomacy and reciprocal trade relations with all countries in the Indo-Pacific.”
DeSombre further emphasized the need to improve U.S. safety by curbing the influx of fentanyl and illegal immigrants from Asia, and ensuring countries repatriate their citizens residing illegally in the U.S. Apart from advancing U.S. diplomatic and security interests, DeSombre expressed his dedication to broadening “commercial opportunities” in diplomatic engagements with regional countries. “If confirmed, I will ensure that all of the embassies in EAP have strong commercial diplomacy teams which we will support from here in Washington D.C.,” he noted.
In addressing Taiwan’s significance, DeSombre highlighted the importance of U.S. and allied backing for Taiwan. “Our relationship with Taiwan is a very important. They’re a great partner of ours,” he remarked. “And we should seek to strengthen that partnership and also encourage our allies and partners to support Taiwan.”
DeSombre’s nomination has garnered attention in South Korea, given the assistant secretary role’s involvement in various regional issues, including North Korean security challenges. Prior to this nomination, DeSombre was a partner at Sullivan and Cromwell, a New York-based law firm, overseeing mergers and acquisitions in Asia. His academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics and a master’s degree in East Asian studies from Stanford University, as well as a law degree from Harvard Law School.