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President Biden downplayed concerns about his debate performance, attributing it to a sore throat. However, his missteps have sparked anxiety among Democrats. During Thursday night’s debate, Biden told former President Donald J. Trump that the United States is the “envy of the world.” Yet, many of America’s allies in Asia hold a different view.In cities like Seoul, Singapore, and Sydney, the exchange between the aggressive Mr. Trump and the faltering Mr. Biden raised alarms—not only about the debate outcome but also about broader implications for global stability. “That whole thing was an unmitigated disaster,” wrote Simon Canning, a communications manager in Australia, on X. “A total shambles, from both the candidates and the moderators. America is in very, very deep trouble.” Countries relying on the U.S. to balance China and deter North Korea’s nuclear ambitions are worried. The debate reignited concerns about how U.S. politics might impact stability across Asia. Chan Heng Chee, Singapore’s ambassador to the U.S. from 1996 to 2012, noted the decline in debate quality. Biden’s disjointed performance and Trump’s relentless attacks and factual inaccuracies were unsettling for those who see the U.S. as a reliable global partner. “Now everyone is watching for visuals,” Ms. Chan said. “Do the candidates look like they are able to do the job, or is age a problem? Facts do not matter now, and civility has totally gone out of the window.” In Japan and South Korea, analysts observed a shift toward Trump, questioning Biden’s age and his ability to project strength. “It was clearly a Trump win and a nail in the coffin for the Biden campaign,” said Lee Byong-chul, a professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies at Kyungnam University in Seoul. “Trump looked healthy compared with Biden, who came across as an old, stammering hard-to-hear grandfather. We must now brace ourselves for a second Trump administration.” Japanese officials, usually diplomatic about U.S. election outcomes, are concerned about Trump’s comments on not wanting to spend money on allies. Koichi Nakano, a political scientist at Sophia University in Tokyo, suggested that Japanese policymakers might be preparing for another Trump presidency by strengthening institutional ties.

“If Trump wins, though, Japanese officials may feel less stress about the demands he might make on Tokyo to pay more for its own defense or for the basing of American troops in Japan,” Nakano said. Recent increases in Japan’s defense budget align with Trump’s previous demands, noted Ichiro Fujisaki, a former Japanese ambassador to Washington. Across the region, there is worry about how Trump might escalate tensions with China or disrupt regional stability. Don McLain Gill, a Manila-based lecturer at De La Salle University, expressed concerns about Trump’s transactional approach to U.S. commitments, including towards Taiwan. In China, the debate was a top trending topic on social media platform Weibo. Official Chinese media reported the debate without much commentary, while online users made light of the candidates’ appearances and actions. Some joked about Trump accelerating China’s global rise. Shen Dingli, an international relations scholar in Shanghai, remarked that the debate reinforced the Chinese government’s view that U.S. policy toward China will remain tough regardless of the president. The candidates debated trade management with China, yet Biden’s administration has continued Trump-era tariffs. “Even if the Democrats urgently choose a new, younger candidate, they will all be set on treating China as a long-term, strategic threat,” Shen said. “I believe Chinese leaders don’t have any illusions.” The debate left few in the region feeling optimistic about the U.S. electoral options. In India, analysts were dismayed by the candidates’ focus on comparing golf handicaps. “It’s very dismaying,” said Tara Kartha, a former senior official in India’s national security council. “And this country, where the two leaders are talking about golf in terms of fitness, and in terms of their ability at all, it’s very, very frightening.” Kasit Piromya, Thailand’s former foreign minister, lamented the state of American politics, questioning where the competent and brave leaders are. He emphasized the need for Southeast Asian countries to develop independent foreign policies. Ja-Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, noted that Biden appeared very tired, while Trump seemed unpredictable. This uncertainty complicates managing relationships with the U.S. “In general, policymakers want a clear, committed and steady U.S. presence,” Chong said. “One that is wavering, weak, and uncommitted is as troubling as one that is mercurial and inconsistent.” “You’re looking at the two extremes,” he added. “It’s hard to imagine right now what a more moderate center for the United States looks like.” Reporting was contributed by Damien Cave, Sui-Lee Wee, Choe Sang-Hun, Vivian Wang, and Mujib Mashal.