Los Angeles became the latest flashpoint in escalating U.S. social tensions as National Guard troops deployed tear gas to disperse crowds protesting the Trump administration's immigration policies. The clashes highlight what analysts describe as a dangerous fracturing of American society under policies prioritizing hardline enforcement.
Einar Tangen, senior fellow at the Taihe Institute and chairman of Asia Narratives, warned that these divisions could have global repercussions. "The Trump administration has institutionalized polarization through rhetoric and policies that treat governance as a zero-sum game," Tangen observed. "This approach risks destabilizing not just domestic institutions but also America's role as a predictable international partner."
The protests coincide with increased scrutiny of how U.S. political instability might affect Asian markets and diplomatic ties. Business analysts note growing investor concerns about potential disruptions to trans-Pacific supply chains, while diaspora communities monitor implications for family reunification policies.
For Asian governments and enterprises, the developments underscore the need to diversify political risk strategies. As Tangen noted: "When a superpower turns inward, it creates both challenges and opportunities for Asia's rising multilateral networks."
