Although the furious debate on trade between the Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigns may seem discouraging, Asian trading partners should not despair. Either candidate, if elected, will seek to improve US global prestige, and FTAs and other trade agreements will be necessary tools to achieve that goal.

India is in competition with China to gain Africa's oil and mineral resources. But the backlash there against Chinese neo-colonialism should warn India that it must live up to its democratic ideals in engaging Africa.

 

Electorates have their mood swings as well. This year, it seems that what appeals to their hearts is a discourse of hope and a desire to change things for the better, rather than a politics of fear. One wonders if this would also turn out to be the case in the impending US presidential elections.

Foreigners take up Singaporean citizenship not because they love the land (or lack of), or because their childhood memories are rooted here, but because they love the green environment, the political stability, the economic opportunities and the family-friendly conditions. In other words, new citizens love the "Singapore System", while Singaporeans born and bred, have more intimate ties to the land.

Asian American newspapers observe and report who is attentive to Asia’s success and its issues. One said recently that the presidential candidates had authored articles on their foreign policy views for the prestigious journal, Foreign Affairs. Senator Obama didn’t mention Asia until page 12.