A summit with North Korea’s leader in June saw President Trump greatly ease regional tensions created by his earlier maximum pressure policy against North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. He also launched punitive tariffs to change trading relations to US benefit, with adverse impact on regional economies. China became the focus, resulting in a trade war accompanied by a hardening of US policy, foreshadowing intense competition.

Early Trump administration initiatives upset regional stability, complicating the foreign policies of Asian partners and opponents alike. Subsequent pragmatic summitry eased regional anxiety and clarified the new government’s security and political objectives. The administration’s national security strategy, released in December, provided a well-integrated security, economic, and diplomatic strategy for Asia and the rest of the world.

North Korea's nuclear weapons test prompted U.S. international activism to curb Pyongyang's proliferation and press it to negotiate. Preoccupied with higher priorities at home and abroad, the Bush administration generally continued along established paths in Asia. Initiatives came in U.S. relations with India, Kazakhstan, and Southeast Asia.

Deepening American preoccupations with other problems at home and abroad saw Bush administration policy toward Asia generally continue along established paths and remain secondary in U.S. policy priorities. The administration stepped up high-level exchanges with Asian counterparts, showed some flexibility over North Korea, and resisted domestic pressures for a tougher China policy.