"My prediction will be that realism will dictate America to cooperate more with China, Russia, and others rather than engage in conflict with them," he stated at a discussion on the US National Security Strategy (NSS), held by Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) in Jakarta, on Monday.
Taking Indo-Pacific into account, the data compiled by the agency indicates that the largest trade in the region is between the US and China, but the largest investment is mostly between the US and Japan.
Meanwhile, for the Indian and Australian perspective, their biggest trader is China, but biggest investor is the US. China itself has the biggest trade and investment values with the US.
The data also reveal that the expected 5.7 percent of the world`s total growth in 2017-2019 will not only be driven by the US but also by China and India.
"In reality, they are economically inter-dependent. If the US messes around with Indo-Pacific, it will also suffer," Pramono noted.
The US NSS documents, issued by President Donald Trump administration in December 2017, has mentioned several key themes, including its strategy to compete, to win in the global stage, and to translate Trump`s campaign promise of `America First? under four principles of protecting the homeland, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength, and advancing American influence.
Former Indonesian ambassador to the US, Dino Patti Djalal, criticized the term "compete" preferably chosen by Trump administration as contradictory to its vision to become global leader.
"It is a hard time connecting `America First` with global leadership," he noted.
The document also reveals that the US has a vision for the Indo-Pacific, which excludes no nation.
According to Djalal, in order to be able to realize such welcome point, the US must give some space for other countries that are rising in a harmonious way, again not to compete, but to engage.
(T.Y013/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
