Pacific Winds 20250211
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump Eyes Future Confrontation with China; Emphasizes Japan-U.S. Alliance in White House Meeting with Ishiba
Yomiuri 20250210
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250210-237821/
Ishiba builds inroads with Trump, but challenges still loom
Japan Times 20250210
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/02/10/japan/politics/ishiba-trump-meeting-analysis/
The Strange Stability of the Japan-US Relationship
The Diplomat 20250210
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/the-strange-stability-of-the-japan-us-relationship/
Why Trump and Ishiba aren’t ‘bromance’ material
Asia Times 20250210
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/why-trump-and-ishiba-arent-bromance-material/
China Is at the Heart of Trump Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
NYTimes 20250210
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/10/business/china-trump-tariffs-steel-aluminum.html
Trump announces 25 per cent tariff of Australian steel, aluminium exports
News (AU) 20250210
https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/trump-announces-25-per-cent-tariff-of-australian-steel-aluminium-exports/news-story/2ce7e1f9d5810c8c235e95b9946b54c7
Australia says its steel, aluminium exports create American jobs
Reuters 20250210
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/australia-says-its-steel-aluminium-exports-create-american-jobs-2025-02-10/
Overprotection weakens US competitiveness as Trump threatens 25% steel, aluminum tariffs
GT 20250210
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328162.shtml
Trump’s advisers clash on Asia policy: Who has the president’s ear?
Think China 20250210
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/trumps-advisers-clash-asia-policy-who-has-presidents-ear
South Korea Has More Leverage Over China Than You Think
FP 20250210
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/10/south-korea-china-economy-diplomacy-trade/
Chinese ambassador rejects rumor of Chinese interference in S.Korean election, urging 'correct judgments'
GT 20250210
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328161.shtml
New Alliance Dynamics in and Around Korea
38 North 20250207
https://www.38north.org/2025/02/new-alliance-dynamics-in-and-around-korea/
China’s Navy Steps up Its Peace Ark Diplomacy
The Diplomat 20250211
https://thediplomat.com/2025/02/chinas-navy-steps-up-its-peace-ark-diplomacy/
Nippon Steel will not take majority stake in U.S. Steel: Trump
Kyodo 20250210
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/02/e4dccf27f792-nippon-steel-will-not-take-majority-stake-in-us-steel-trump.html
Ishiba: Legal Details Need to be Hashed Out On U.S. Steel; Discussions Will Distinguish Between Acquisition, Investment
Yomiuri 20250210
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250210-237849/
Chinese firms’ performance reflects resilience in the face of US tariff uncertainty
GT 20250210
https://t.co/3LQDS0fkvg
Protectionism will invalidate efforts to boost US steel sector
GT 20250210
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328209.shtml
Japan investment in U.S. hits record amid China concerns
Nikkei 20250211
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Japan-investment-in-U.S.-hits-record-amid-China-concerns
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
US and Allies Flex Muscles at West Pacific Military Outpost
Newsweek 20250210
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-allies-exercise-cope-north-2025-pacific-territory-guam-2028746
Governor and Military Leaders discuss Guam’s infrastructure and security
KUAM 20250210
https://www.kuam.com/story/52341751/governor-and-military-leaders-discuss-guams-infrastructure-and-security
Island Waves
Aid on ice: How Trump’s freeze hurts the Pacific and Southeast Asia
Lowy 20250210
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aid-ice-how-trump-s-freeze-hurts-pacific-southeast-asia
NGOs hit hard by US ‘aid freeze’ order
Solomom Star 20250210
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/ngos-hit-hard-by-us-aid-freeze-order/
Pacific leaders push back against Donald Trump's immigration crackdown
RNZ 20240210
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541433/pacific-leaders-push-back-against-donald-trump-s-immigration-crackdown
Japan, Fiji government ‘bridge’ villagers 35-year wait
Fiji Times 20250210
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/japan-fiji-government-bridge-villagers-35-year-wait/
Rabuka discusses US relations and regional implications with Under Secretary of State
RNZ 20240210
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/541405/rabuka-discusses-us-relations-and-regional-implications-with-under-secretary-of-state
Fiji committed to regional stability says PM
FBCN 20250210
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-committed-to-regional-stability-says-pm/
RSIPF farewell three CPLT members
Solomon Star 20250210
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/rsipf-farewell-three-cplt-members/
New Zealand voices renewed concern as Cook Islands PM eyes agreement with China
Reuters 20240210
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-concerns-mount-cook-islands-pm-plans-sign-agreement-with-china-2025-02-10/
Taiwan + SCS
Taiwan, U.S. sign contract on NASAMS air defense system sale
CNA (TW) 20250210
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202502100016
China lodges serious protests to US, Japan over US-Japan joint leaders' statement
GT 20250210
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328194.shtml
Taiwan tracks 6 Chinese naval ships, 5 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250210
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6033407
Has the Philippines become safer by 'renting external military power'?
GT 20250210
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202502/1328211.shtml
The Coast Guard: How to Compete in the South China Sea
HIR 20250210
https://hir.harvard.edu/the-coast-guard-how-to-compete-in-the-south-china-sea/
Capabilities
Type 094 nuclear submarine is China’s ‘King of the South China Sea’ in bid for deterrence
SCMP 20250210
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3298032/type-094-nuclear-submarine-chinas-king-south-china-sea-bid-deterrence
Something old, something new: the very practical rules of Chinese aircraft development
ASPI 20250210
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/something-old-something-new-the-very-practical-rules-of-chinese-aircraft-development/
Japan’s hypersonic arsenal getting up to speed
Asia Times 20250210
https://asiatimes.com/2025/02/japans-hypersonic-arsenal-getting-up-to-speed/
Software-Defined Warships: The Navy’s Digital Future of Necessity
WOTR 20250210
https://warontherocks.com/2025/02/software-defined-warships-the-navys-digital-future-of-necessity/
Japan's accelerated deployment of attack drones warrants vigilance
China Military 20250211
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16368121.html
N. Korea requests U.N. investigation into alleged S. Korean drone intrusion
Yonhap 20250210
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250210010500315
Donald Trump vows to cut billions of dollars from US defence spending
FT 20250209
https://www.ft.com/content/5800607b-f1fd-48a6-b90c-c79b25552e75
Defense Secretary Orders Air Force to Pause All Reorg Planning
Air & Space 20250210
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-pauses-reorg-planning/
China tightens rules on publishing information about the military online
SCMP 20250210
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3298106/china-tightens-rules-publishing-information-about-military-online
Exercises
U.S. nuclear-powered submarine arrives in S. Korea to replenish supplies
Yonhap 20250210
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250210003551315
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 10, 2025
USNI 20250210
https://news.usni.org/2025/02/10/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-feb-10-2025