The Australian Government and the Opposition must now base policy on three realities, namely that;

(a)     Trump is essentially a unilateralist, despite the contradictory comments he often makes;
(b)     United States involvement in Asia and the South West Pacific will be less active during Trump’s Presidency; and that
(c)     China’s role in the Asia and the South West Pacific will be much more active in the decades ahead, including its ‘One Belt, One Road’ project.