Obama rode to power on young voters, liberals, minorities, and unions. That means one of his main constituents are anti-trade protect-American jobs unionists. While Obama may improve foreign policy relations the trade and economic policies that emerge will be detrimental to countries like Singapore. Already the newly installed Treasury secretary is accusing China of currency manipulation and I wouldn't be surprised if the US starts putting in place tariffs and other protectionist measures. You can be sure that there will be no more free trade agreements and there's a chance the existing ones (like those with Singapore) will be reviewed. As a politician he has to protect the jobs of his constituents, and that means taking those jobs away from you! So you trade an adminstration who tramples on diplomatic relations but has good trade policies for one who will tell you nice things to placate you but is protectionist. I dunno about you, but I prefer the former, the only thing that counts is my pocket!
