Pacific Winds 20250209
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Donald Trump and Japan PM project unity in countering China on economic, security fronts
SCMP 20250208
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3297868/donald-trump-and-japan-pm-project-unity-countering-china-economic-security-fronts
Ishiba Gains Satisfactory Responses on Security from Trump; No Demand for Significant Increase to Defense Spending
Yomiuri 20250208
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250208-237662/
Trump, Ishiba mention China in their meeting; passivity seen in Japanese position in US alliance: experts
GT 20250208
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328082.shtml
Trump seeks to slash Japan trade deficit through LNG exports, tariffs
Nikkei 20250208
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Trump-seeks-to-slash-Japan-trade-deficit-through-LNG-exports-and-tariffs
Foreign ministry welcomes Trump, Ishiba's commitment to N.K. denuclearization
Yonhap 20250208
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250208003000315
Trump says his ties with Kim 'very big asset for everybody,' affirms commitment to Korean Peninsula security
Yonhap 20250208
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250208000353315
N. Korea says its nuclear weapons are not bargaining chip
Yonhap 20250208
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250208000851315
North Korea sends a nuclear message to Trump and Ishiba
Nikkei 20250208
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/North-Korea-tensions/North-Korea-sends-a-nuclear-message-to-Trump-and-Ishiba
Australia makes $500 mln AUKUS payment ahead of US defence secretary meeting
Reuters 20250207
https://www.reuters.com/world/australia-makes-500-mln-aukus-payment-ahead-us-defence-secretary-meeting-2025-02-07/
Shared Challenges, AUKUS Partnership Top Topics as U.S., Australian Defense Leaders Meet for First Time
US DoD 20250207
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4060571/shared-challenges-aukus-partnership-top-topics-as-us-australian-defense-leaders/
Deterring China, slashing waste top Pentagon priorities, Hegseth says
Defense News 20250208
https://www.defensenews.com/air/2025/02/08/deterring-china-slashing-waste-top-pentagon-priorities-hegseth-says/
How the US Could Undermine Its Biggest Advantage Over China
The Diplomat 20250207
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/how-the-us-could-undermine-its-biggest-advantage-over-china/
New Zealand must balance alliances with autonomy
EAF 20250208
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/02/08/new-zealand-must-balance-alliances-with-autonomy/
As US Withdraws From WHO, China Supercharges Its Public Health Diplomacy
The Diplomat 20250207
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/as-us-withdraws-from-who-china-supercharges-its-public-health-diplomacy/
Ishiba Pledges to Boost Japan’s Investment in U.S. to $1 Trillion; Trump Says Meeting with Nippon Steel Execs Scheduled
Yomiuri 20250208
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250208-237666/
Trump says Nippon Steel to "invest heavily" in, not buy U.S. Steel
Kyodo 20250208
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/3b4b34f7a775-trump-says-nippon-steel-to-invest-heavily-in-not-buy-us-steel.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Guam-based thinktank keeps close watch on Trump impacts to Compact
KUAM 20250208
https://www.kuam.com/story/52334684/guambased-thinktank-keeps-close-watch-on-trump-impacts-to-compact
U.S. Collaborates with Trilateral Allies in Cope North 2025
USAF PacAf 20250207
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4060580/us-collaborates-with-trilateral-allies-in-cope-north-2025/
Island Waves
Aust Loan is “Unnecessary” Says O’Neill
Post Courier 20250208
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/aust-loan-is-unnecessary-says-oneill/
The ripple effect | How Trump’s tariffs and Canada’s retaliation could shake Fiji’s economy
Fiji Times 20250208
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/the-ripple-effect-how-trumps-tariffs-and-canadas-retaliation-could-shake-fijis-economy/
Talks on security challenges
Fiji Times 20250208
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/talks-onsecurity-challenges/
PM calls for continued dialogue
FBCN 20240208
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/pm-calls-for-continued-dialogue/
Talks held on political and economic future of New Caledonia
RNZ 20250208
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541301/talks-held-on-political-and-economic-future-of-new-caledonia
Taiwan + SCS
Trump must dump 'One China' policy and recognize 'free' Taiwan, House Republicans say
FOX 20250207
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-must-dump-one-china-policy-recognize-free-taiwan-house-republicans-say
US and Japan oppose China's 'coercion' of Taiwan for 1st time
Taiwan News 20250208
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6032887
Taiwan sends officials to U.S. to discuss possible Trump tariffs
Nikkei 20250208
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Taiwan-sends-officials-to-U.S.-to-discuss-possible-Trump-tariffs
The depths of Taiwan’s military morale crisis
Asia Times 20250208
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/the-depths-of-taiwans-military-morale-crisis/
11 sorties of PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan
TW MoD 20250208
https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1888029990421205220
US, Japan oppose China’s threatening, provocative’ activities in SCS
PNA 20250208
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1243653
PCG zeroing in on waters off Zambales due to China’s Monster ship
Inquirer (PH) 20250207
https://www.inquirer.net/427887/pcg-zeroing-in-on-waters-off-zambales-due-to-chinas-monster-ship/#ixzz8zdlVlKz8
CCG ship spotted anew off Zambales coast
Phil Star 20250208
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/02/08/2420032/ccg-ship-spotted-anew-zambales-coast
US-Philippines military ensemble tailored to stir up geopolitical tensions
GT 20250208
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328067.shtml
China adds ‘ghost particle’ detector to South China Sea observation network
SCMP 20250208
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3297756/china-adds-ghost-particle-detector-south-china-sea-observation-network
Capabilities
Senate Republicans release budget plan with $150B more for defense
Breaking Defense 20250207
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/02/senate-republicans-release-budget-plan-with-150b-more-for-defense/
Will closer Philippine-South Korea military ties make China ‘insecure’?
SCMP 20250208
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3297793/will-closer-philippine-south-korea-military-ties-make-china-insecure
N.Korea likely to produce drones co-developed with Russia this year, say sources
NHK 20250208
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250208_05/
PLA rapidly modernizing, but still lacking, MAC says
Taipei Times 20250209
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/09/2003831578
U.S. Prepares F-35s For Chinese Missile Rain; USAF Trains To Boost ‘Survivability & Lethality’ Of Its Top Aircraft
EurAsian Times 20250208
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/u-s-a-f-prepares-f-35s-for-chinese-missile/#google_vignette
Navy Wants 95 Percent Manning Fill Rate for Civilian Mariners by September
USNI 20250207
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/07/navy-wants-95-percent-manning-fill-rate-for-civilian-mariners-by-september