The Asia Pacific Initiative (API) held a roundtable on September 10, 2025, welcoming Dr. Ted Gover, Director of the Tribal Administration Certificate Program at Clermont Graduate University, USA.

Dr. Ted Gover delivered an insightful presentation on possible scenarios for next year’s United States midterm elections and their potential implications for American foreign policy.

He began with an overview of the current internal dynamics within the Republican and Democratic parties, before examining how voters may be influenced by various factors, including ongoing changes to electoral districts and the economic record of the Trump administration.

With respect to U.S. foreign policy toward the Asia-Pacific region, Dr. Gover noted that whether Congress maintains or loses its majority will remain a significant factor to watch. Looking beyond the midterms, he also emphasized that Asia-Pacific countries are likely to continue feeling the effects of policies introduced under the Trump administration.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A between Dr. Gover and API experts. Topics covered included differences and similarities between former President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, perspectives on Japan’s current defense spending, U.S. views on China and the potential for a U.S.–China “grand bargain,” and the reliability of American political polling.

API would like to once again thank Dr. Gover for visiting the International House of Japan and sharing his well-informed perspectives on contemporary American politics—a subject that continues to challenge and intrigue scholars and practitioners of international affairs worldwide.