Trump to flex muscles on Asia tour after midterms losses

President Donald Trump is set to embark on an Asia tour following his party's devastating midterms loss, according to a report. The 80-year-old Republican heads to the Asean summit in the Philippines and the APEC summit in China, aiming to demonstrate his continued influence on the world stage. The Democrats now control both the House of Representatives and the Senate, leaving Trump politically weakened during his final two years in office.

Despite this, his unpredictable billionaire status may drive him to focus on international matters, experts say. China has indicated it will continue working with the US despite the political shift, but the power balance in Washington remains a concern for Asian leaders. Trump's focus on Iran, trade, and China during his tour is expected, with the Iran war being particularly challenging for US partners in Asia.

The Democrats have expressed hope that a new administration could bring more predictability to US decision-making on Iran. Trump is also expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the APEC summit, with a focus on denuclearization and ending the war in Iran.