With the US Presidential election just weeks away – here’re some of the key takeaways for the people in Asia to weigh the future from the next White House tenant:

• Narrative: How the efforts to contain China is going to be framed against global challenges like Climate Change?
• Partnerships: Where will be the first overseas Presidential visit including Quad and AUKUS?
• Military Deployments: The shape of first presidential budget, request and additions
• Economic Engagement - Importance given to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and the policy strategy on "critical minerals"
• Diplomatic Initiatives: Appointments at State Department plus special envoys
• Cooperation/Confrontation: The level of taxes on imports from Asia, especially Chinese goods from third countries
• Economics/Security  - Importance given to Asean and focus on Japan’s and S Korea’s security strategy
• Bilateral/multilateral – Which Asian leader will be the first to visit the White House. Will the next President attend the Asean Summit in Malaysia in 2025. 
• Ideals: Will the Democracy Summit series continue and the framing of democracy versus autocracy
• Means/ends: The narrative on burden-sharing with allies 

These are pretty hardcore international diplomacy, policy directives and public relations strategies. They are not always for the light-hearted as Donald Trump seeks to appear a "strong man" and Kamala Harris to "manage" the US as a declining sole global superpower.

But do any of us have a choice as the geopolitics and its consequences impact everyone in Asia in one way or another!