War, tariffs and China: What the US midterms mean for the Asia-Pacific

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that governments, businesses and analysts across the Asia-Pacific are watching the US midterm elections closely, hoping for changes in President Donald Trump’s policies on war, tariffs and China. The article says the region has been hit particularly hard by the US and Israel’s war on Iran, which disrupted Gulf energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and contributed to fuel shortages and higher costs in several Asian economies.

The report notes that countries such as the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and East Timor have faced energy strain, while Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have spent heavily on fuel subsidies to soften the impact on consumers. Analysts quoted by Al Jazeera said a Congress controlled by Democrats would likely increase oversight and hearings on the Iran war, but would be unlikely to force a major policy reversal because Trump could veto legislation.

On trade, the article says many in Asia also want relief from tariffs imposed by Trump on a wide range of countries, including several in Southeast Asia. Some analysts see only limited room for Congress to change trade policy, though a stronger anti-Trump result could encourage some Republicans to back freer trade or carve-outs for exporters.

The piece also says the one area where tougher congressional action is widely expected is China-related technology policy, including new export-control measures. At the same time, analysts warn that a constrained Trump could still pursue unpredictable foreign policy, leaving the region uncertain about US security commitments in places such as the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.