By Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom and Daphne Psaledakis
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken will head to Asia this week to reassure allies and partners of U.S. support, the State Department’s top official for Asia said on Monday, as the November U.S. presidential election casts uncertainty over Washington’s foreign policy.
U.S. tensions with China will provide the backdrop to the trip. Blinken is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of regional meetings in Laos, according to Assistant Secretary of State Dan Kritenbrink who briefed reporters on the trip.
(Reporting by Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom and Daphne Psaledakis)
