Unmentioned however current, Trump is a typical denominator in Asia-Europe ties : NPR

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Kin Cheung/AP/Pool AP BEIJING — Stability. Consistency. Ever-changing complexity.

With language like that, deployed in separate conferences in three Asian capitals this week, authorities leaders cast nearer ties pushed partly by a determine midway around the globe: the president of the US. And far of the time, they did not even point out Donald Trump's identify.

IN BEIJING: The U.Ok. and Chinese language leaders referred to as Thursday for a "long-term, steady, and complete strategic partnership" between their two international locations. The essential phrases are long-term and steady. The 2 international locations dedicated a decade in the past to constructing a complete strategic partnership however progress has been halting at greatest.

IN HANOI: About 1,100 kilometers (700 miles) to the south, Vietnam and the European Union used the identical phrasing on the identical day. They upgraded ties to a complete strategic partnership. The settlement locations Vietnam on the identical diplomatic footing with the EU as the US, China and Russia.

IN NEW DELHI: Two days earlier, the EU and India reached a significant free commerce accord that had been mired in negotiations for years. It covers the whole lot from textiles to medicines and can convey down India's excessive tariffs on European wine and automobiles.

Trump was not the one issue behind the agreements, however his shaking up of the worldwide order is worrying mates and foes and driving them nearer. From a purely financial perspective, his import tariffs have despatched international locations looking for new markets to cut back their dependency on the American client.

Extra broadly, all of the agreements have been accompanied by phrases from the leaders referring to the uncertainty that Trump has launched to international affairs, although principally with out mentioning his identify. The methods they've relied on to handle the world because the finish of the Chilly Struggle and, in some circumstances since World Struggle II, seem in danger.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer referred to as for working with China on international stability "throughout difficult occasions for the world." Chinese language chief Xi Jinping described the worldwide state of affairs as "complicated and ever-changing." In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the partnership with the EU "will strengthen stability within the worldwide system" at a time of "turmoil within the international order."

European Council President António Costa summed up the sentiment Thursday within the Vietnamese capital: "At a second when the worldwide rules-based order is below menace from a number of sides, we have to stand facet by facet as dependable and predictable companions."