Pacific Winds 20250205
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Prime Minister Ishiba’s Visit to Washington
CSIS 20250204
https://www.csis.org/analysis/prime-minister-ishibas-visit-washington
Japan searching for a quiet place in Trumpworld
Asia Times 20250204
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/japan-searching-for-a-quiet-place-in-trumpworld/
Japan PM to make 3-day trip to U.S. from Feb. 6 for talks with Trump
Kyodo 20250204
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/4c057f8d837c-urgent-japan-pm-to-make-3-day-trip-to-us-from-thurs-for-talks-with-trump.html
What Should Australia Do in This Strongman Soft Power Age?
The Diplomat 20250204
https://t.co/JV5nuz0Xzp
No, Australia isn’t immune to Trump trade war pain
Asia Times 20250204
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/no-australia-isnt-immune-to-trump-trade-war-chaos/
USAID closure disrupts Indo-Pacific aid coordination plans
Nikkei 20250204
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/USAID-closure-disrupts-Indo-Pacific-aid-coordination-plans
How China is playing to win Trump’s trade war
Asia Times 20250204
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/how-china-is-playing-to-win-trumps-trade-war/
China to impose additional tariffs on certain U.S. products
Xinhua 20250204
https://english.news.cn/20250204/8d07081f74cc46eab40924ca02952901/c.html
The Next Phase of the China-US Trade War Has Begun
The Diplomat 20250204
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/the-next-phase-of-the-china-us-trade-war-has-begun/
China Responds to Trump’s Tariffs With Caution
FP 202500204
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/04/china-tariffs-trump-export-controls-de-minimis/
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
FAS Ambassadors raise concerns over U.S. Executive Orders Impacting citizens
Island Times 20250204
https://islandtimes.org/fas-ambassadors-raise-concerns-over-u-s-executive-orders-impacting-citizens/
Cope North 2025 military exercises kick off
PDN 20250205
https://www.guampdn.com/news/cope-north-2025-military-exercises-kick-off/article_90a9704c-e2da-11ef-8c4a-f716df956a01.html
Cope North 25 send-off
USAF AAFB 20250204
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4051717/cope-north-25-send-off/
Japan and Palau sign GGP Grant contract to renovate Judiciary Capitol Building in Melekeok
Island Times 20250204
https://islandtimes.org/japan-and-palau-sign-ggp-grant-contract-to-renovate-judiciary-capitol-building-in-melekeok/
736, 36 SFS trains JASDF during Pacific Defender
USAF AAFB 20250204
https://www.andersen.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4052284/736-36-sfs-trains-jasdf-during-pacific-defender/
Island Waves
Fiji leader to press Pacific Islands concerns in Washington after U.S. aid frozen
Reuters 20250204
https://www.reuters.com/world/fiji-leader-press-pacific-islands-concerns-washington-after-us-aid-frozen-2025-02-04/
Marshall Islands journalist says Trump's USAID freeze 'undermine relationships in the Pacific'
RNZ 20250204
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/540871/watch-marshall-islands-journalist-says-trump-s-usaid-freeze-undermine-relationships-in-the-pacific
Rabuka assures support for Fiji’s Embassy in USA
Fiji Times 20250204
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/rabuka-assures-support-for-fijis-embassy-in-usa/
Rabuka to champion ‘Ocean of Peace’
FBCN 20250204
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-to-champion-ocean-of-peace/
As Trump deportations intensify, Pacific Island nations worry they could be overwhelmed
The Conversation 20250203
https://theconversation.com/as-trump-deportations-intensify-pacific-island-nations-worry-they-could-be-overwhelmed-248900
Japanese experts complete earthquake damage assessment
Daily Post (VU) 202250205
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/japanese-experts-complete-earthquake-damage-assessment/article_acc7a032-c256-5cde-bc00-73b69bd01e47.html
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan reportedly planning to buy E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes
Taiwan News 20250204
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6029261
Taiwan’s economic growth prevails despite China’s military intimidation
EAF 20250204
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/04/taiwans-economic-growth-prevails-despite-chinas-military-intimidation/
US and Philippine fighter aircraft jointly patrol disputed shoal region guarded by China
AP 20250204
https://apnews.com/article/philippines-us-joint-patrol-scarborough-shoal-843b68e5833dd640fc9336ac415705c3
PH, US joint air patrol exercises underway over South China Sea
GMA 20250204
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/935104/ph-us-joint-air-patrol-exercises-underway-over-south-china-sea/story/
PLA Air Force conducts routine patrol over Huangyan Dao
Xinhua 20250204
https://english.news.cn/20250204/ea243f5664c849b4b4b86692ed001aa7/c.html
PLA decries US-Philippine air drill over South China Sea as tensions escalate
SCMP 20250204
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3297247/chinese-military-disputes-manilas-version-south-china-sea-naval-crossing
AFP: China warships violated protocols in entering PH territorial waters
PhilStar 20250204
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/04/2419162/afp-china-warships-violated-protocols-entering-ph-territorial-waters
Expert wants US to arm Philippines with sound cannons to fight China’s gray-zone tactics
S&S 20250204
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-02-03/sound-cannons-china-philippines-16712086.html
Capabilities
South Korean politicians push for nuclear capability
Defence Blog 20250204
https://defence-blog.com/south-korean-politicians-push-for-nuclear-capability/
North Korea welcomes Trump back with ‘strategic’ cruise missile test: What’s next?
Breaking Defense 20250204
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/north-korea-welcomes-trump-back-with-strategic-cruise-missile-test-whats-next/
Philippines shores up defenses with increased military spending
Defense News 20250204
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/02/04/philippines-shores-up-defenses-with-increased-military-spending/
Distributed firepower: attack missile boats are an alternative to major warships
ASPI 20250204
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/distributed-firepower-attack-missile-boats-are-an-alternative-to-major-warships/
Pentagon Still Unsure About Lethality Of Dark Eagle Hypersonic Missile
TWZ 20250204
https://www.twz.com/land/pentagon-still-unsure-about-lethality-of-dark-eagle-hypersonic-missile
Navy HELIOS Laser Aboard USS Preble Zaps Drone In Latest Test
TWZ 20250203
https://www.twz.com/news-features/navy-helios-laser-aboard-uss-preble-zaps-drone-in-latest-test
Why a missile shield in space makes sense
Space News 20250204
https://spacenews.com/why-a-missile-shield-in-space-makes-sense/