Donald Trump’s election win has thrilled autocratic leaders in several countries in Southeast Asia, an area of strategic and security focus during the Obama years. Some have bridled in the past against US criticism of their human rights and corruption records. Most are strongmen who might see in Mr Trump’s victory a tacit endorsement of their tactics — and a repudiation of the outgoing Washington administration’s agenda.
Outspoken Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte
welcomed the election of a man he appears to see as a kindred spirit — and as having the potential to patch up relations that have frayed amid US criticism of his bloody war on drugs. Mr Duterte, who has called President Barack Obama a “son of a bitch” and told him to “go to hell”, noted that he and Mr Trump were “both making curses. Even with trivial matters we curse”. He also said he hoped he could now stop arguing with Washington, whose longstanding security alliance with Manila is crucial to the US military presence in Asia’s seas. Mr Duterte has attacked Washington frequently, announcing a “separation” from the US and claiming it has treated the Philippines like a dog tied to a post. There may yet be obstacles between the two new leaders, however: Mr Trump last month said Mr Duterte’s pledge to expel US troops from the Philippines showed "a lack of respect for our country”.