Pacific Winds 20250210
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Ishiba says Trump didn't push defense spending hike or discuss tariffs
Japan Times 20250209
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/09/japan/politics/ishiba-trump-defense-spending-tariffs/
Trump pressure to boost Japan defense spending could strain alliance
Kyodo 20250209
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/c04ae6f2d859-focus-trump-pressure-to-boost-japan-defense-spending-could-strain-alliance.html
Japan PM curries favor with Trump on economic front
Kyodo 20250209
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/611aa0d6a75f-focus-japan-pm-curries-favor-with-trump-on-economic-front.html
Japan's Ishiba keen for deal to keep U.S. Steel as 'American company'
Nikkei 20250209
https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Japan-s-Ishiba-keen-for-deal-to-keep-U.S.-Steel-as-American-company
N. Korea's Kim says U.S. causing 'conflicting structure,' vows to bolster nuclear forces
Yonhap 20250209
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250209000251315
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
A rare diplomatic spat exposes growing pressures in the Pacific as US, China vie for influence
CNN 20250209
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/09/asia/new-zealand-kiribati-us-china-pacific-intl-hnk
Island Waves
Can China fill US-sized void in Pacific after Trump’s foreign aid freeze?
SCMP 20250209
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3297838/can-china-fill-us-sized-void-pacific-after-trumps-foreign-aid-freeze
What the Trump Administration Can Learn From Aid Reorganizations in Australia, NZ, and Canada
The Diplomat 20250208
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/what-the-trump-administration-can-learn-from-aid-reorganizations-in-australia-nz-and-canada/
Cook Islands PM flying to China without consulting NZ - Government
RNZ 20250209
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541337/cook-islands-pm-flying-to-china-without-consulting-nz-government
'Significant concern': NZ, Cook Islands relationship worsens
1News (NZ) 20250210
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/02/09/significant-concern-nz-cook-islands-relationship-worsens/
Another Pacific island is set to fall under Chinese influence
Telegraph (UK) 20250209
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/09/another-pacific-island-is-set-to-fall-under-chinese-influen/
Cook Islands' diplomatic snub to NZ will be noticed
RNZ 20250210
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/541384/cook-islands-diplomatic-snub-to-nz-will-be-noticed-commentator
Winrock’s USD25m on Malaita cut off
Solomon Star 20250209
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/winrocks-usd25m-on-malaita-cut-off/
Portable clinic installed at Naha
Solomon Star 20250209
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/portable-clinic-installed-at-naha/
France sets up Samoan embassy
Samoa Observer 20250209
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113079
Taiwan + SCS
Trump’s foreign aid freeze sounds security alarm in Taiwan amid cross-strait tension
SCMP 20250209
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3297775/trumps-foreign-aid-freeze-sounds-security-alarm-taiwan-amid-cross-strait-tension
Anti-ship missiles are key to defense
Taipei Times 20250210
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/02/10/2003831628
14 Chinese military aircraft, 6 ships detected around Taiwan
Taiwan News 20250209
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6033141
Canada and Philippines are in final negotiations for defense pact to boost joint military exercises
AP 20250208
https://apnews.com/article/canada-philippines-south-china-sea-129b827017ade938af3c1f1e262fc72f
Steller 2025 exercise shows Philippine attempts to expand foreign military presence in SCS: expert
GT 20250209
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328133.shtml