A look at U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump’s foreign policy priorities as he prepares to return to the White House

Welcome to VOA Asia Weekly. I'm Chris Casquejo in Washington. That story is coming up, but first, making headlines:

“I will work very hard to strengthen Indonesia and United States relationship.”

Newly inaugurated Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden celebrated the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Indonesia relations Tuesday at the White House. Biden said he wants to strengthen partnership by advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. In 2023, the two countries deepened ties into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level among non-treaty allies.

Several international airlines cancelled flights to and from Indonesia’s tourist destination of Bali on Wednesday. The ongoing eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki on the remote island of Flores left travelers stranded at airports.

Residents in the Chinese city of Zhuhai continued to deliver wreaths and flowers to the site of a car ramming attack. It comes two days after at least 35 people were killed and 43 injured by a man reportedly upset about a divorce settlement.

Japanese lawmakers voted for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to stay on as leader Monday, after his scandal-tarnished coalition lost its parliamentary majority in a lower house election last month.

Promising a return to the America First doctrine, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s early conversations with leaders following his election victory indicate he aims to fulfill his promises to quickly end the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. VOA Chief White House correspondent Patsy Widakuswara reports.

The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza…

and Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, will be the global backdrop as Donald Trump and his “America First” foreign policy return to the White House.

“Nothing will stop me from keeping my word to you, the people. We will make America safe, strong, prosperous, powerful, and free again.”

Trump’s term starts January 20th, but he has already spoken with world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Moscow denies reports that Trump has also spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump campaigned on ending wars quickly. Analysts say he is eager to deliver.

“When it comes to the Middle East, I think in some ways, the message will be "hurry up and finish this war." For Ukraine, it's going to be "stop.”

Trump has never explained how he will make wars stop but often criticizes the billions of dollars of U.S. aid going to Ukraine. A rapid end to the war could mean major concessions by Kyiv, something Zelenskyy says is not likely to happen.

“We want a just end to this war. I am sure that a fast end of war means losses.”

With North Korea sending soldiers to help Moscow, the war in Ukraine could have broader geopolitical implications, at a time of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Trump must also deal with Israel, which appears focused on maximalist aims rather than a cease-fire, not only with Hamas in Gaza but also with Hezbollah in Lebanon, the war’s second front. Both groups are proxies of Iran.

“We see the Iranian threat in all its components and the danger it poses. We also see the great opportunities before Israel in the field of peace and its expansion.”

Trump promised to be tough on trade, especially against China. In his congratulatory message to Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “stable, healthy and sustainable” ties.

“Xi Jinping pointed out that history has shown that China and the United States benefit from cooperation and suffer from confrontation.”

Trump also promised to crack down on immigration, vowing to mass-deport undocumented immigrants. On Monday, he moved on that promise, appointing Tom Homan, his former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, as incoming “border czar.”

Patsy Widakuswara VOA News, Washington.

Visit voanews.com for the most up-to-date stories.

I’m Chris Casquejo.

Finally, we leave you with the historic 50th home run ball hit by Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani on public display in Taipei. A Taiwanese investment company bought the ball at auction for a record-breaking $4.392 million dollars.

Thanks for watching VOA Asia Weekly.