Pacific Winds 20250404
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Sharing security interests, ASEAN’s big three step up cooperation
ASPI 20250403
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/sharing-security-interests-aseans-big-three-step-up-cooperation/
China, US hold maritime military security talks in Shanghai
China Daily 20250403
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202504/03/WS67ee8b22a3104d9fd381d91a.html
U.S. lndo-Pacific Command representatives meet with China counterparts at Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group
US IndoPaCom 20250403
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4144173/us-lndo-pacific-command-representatives-meet-with-china-counterparts-at-militar/
PLA puts US military on notice over ‘dangerous’ activities near China
SCMP 20250404
https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3305130/pla-puts-us-military-notice-over-dangerous-activities-near-china
Beyond the blame game: Why US-China scientific cooperation on fentanyl is crucial
Think China 20250403
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/beyond-blame-game-why-us-china-scientific-cooperation-fentanyl-crucial
Trump's pick for China envoy says It's not inconsistent to reinforce alliances amid 'fair' trade talks
Yonhap 20250404
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404000300315
The Quiet Crisis in the U.S.-Korea Alliance
CSIS 20250403
https://www.csis.org/analysis/quiet-crisis-us-korea-alliance
Japan, U.S., South Korea voice "serious concerns" over North Korea moves
Kyodo 20250403
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/a4fbdb9efb30-japan-us-s-korea-voice-serious-concerns-over-n-korea-moves.html
Recommendations for US-Japan Cooperation with Southeast Asia
Hudson 20250402
https://www.hudson.org/security-alliances/recommendations-us-japan-cooperation-southeast-asia-will-chou
Open Australia versus closed United States
ASPI 20250403
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/open-australia-versus-closed-united-states/
Trump to slap new 24% tariff on Japan, at least 10% on all countries
Kyodo 20250403
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/d5f352983d39-update2-trump-unveils-mix-of-universal-reciprocal-tariffs.html
U.S. Tariffs Are Extremely Regrettable, Disappointing, Says PM Ishiba; Expresses Willingness to Work with Trump
Yomiuri 20250403
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250403-246852/
US announces sweeping 'reciprocal tariffs,' sparking strong responses from multiple countries
GT 20250403
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331438.shtml
China urges US to immediately lift tariffs, vows retaliation
Reuters 20250403
https://www.reuters.com/markets/china-urges-us-cancel-reciprocal-tariffs-2025-04-03/
Chinese FM spokesperson slams US ‘reciprocal tariffs’ for breaching WTO rules, vows countermeasures
GT 20250403
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331445.shtml
Trump's reciprocal tariffs heighten uncertainties over S. Korea-U.S. partnership
Yonhap 20250403
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250403001900315
Acting president calls for all-out response to U.S. announcement of 25 pct tariffs
Yonhap 20250403
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250403001851315
White House confirms S. Korea's reciprocal rate at 26 pct
Yonhap 20250403
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250403011800315
Trump imposes 34% reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports as part of ‘Liberation Day’ package
SCMP 20250403
https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3304971/trump-announced-34-reciprocal-tariffs-chinese-goods-part-liberation-day-package
Australia escapes worst of Trump's tariffs but still bracing for turmoil in Asia
ABC (AU) 20250403
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/us-asia-trump-tariffs-what-it-means-for-australia/105133246
Trump’s tariffs: Australia hit with a stick while our region was clobbered
Lowy 20250403
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/trump-s-tariffs-australia-hit-stick-while-our-region-was-clobbered
Australia in Trump’s new tariff order
Lowy 20250403
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/australia-trump-s-new-tariff-order
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Trump actions hurt Pacific
MIJ 20250403
https://marshallislandsjournal.com/trump-actions-hurt-pacific/
3-month jail term for Chinese national who brought 12 other 'illegals' to Guam by boat
PDN 20250403
https://www.guampdn.com/news/3-month-jail-term-for-chinese-national-who-brought-12-other-illegals-to-guam-by/article_8e69026a-dc64-4ebe-b074-e16ab3745768.html
Migrant smuggling scheme unfolded thousands of miles from US mainland
USA Today 20250402
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/02/chinese-immigrants-smuggle-guam-mariana-islands/82764615007/
Smuggler sentenced for attempt to bring Chinese migrants to Guam
S&S 20250403
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2025-04-02/guam-china-migrants-us-attorney-conviction-17339331.html
Island Waves
Trump slaps higher tariffs on Fiji and Pacific nations in response to unfair trade practices
PINA 20250403
https://pina.com.fj/2025/04/03/trump-slaps-higher-tariffs-on-fiji-and-pacific-nations-in-response-to-unfair-trade-practices/
Fiji have been slapped with the highest US tariffs in the Pacific
RNZ 20250403
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/557082/fiji-have-been-slapped-with-the-highest-us-tariffs-in-the-pacific
Fiji hit with 32 percent US tariff
FBCN 20250403
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-hit-with-32-per-cent-us-tariff/
Trump slaps 32% tariff on Fiji
Fiji Times 22050403
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/trump-slaps-32-tariff-on-fiji/
Tough decisions ahead as US imposes reciprocal tariff: PM
FBCN 20250403
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/tough-decisions-ahead-as-us-imposed-reciprocal-tariff-pm/
Disproportionate and unfair, Fiji on 32% tariff imposed by Donald Trump
Fiji Times 20250403
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/disproportionate-and-unfair-fiji-on-32-tariff-imposed-by-donald-trump/
Cook Islands prime minister wants to rework ties to NZ to be more independent
ABC (AU) 20250403
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-03/china-cook-islands-deal-new-zealand-mark-brown-winston-peters/105128644
Maladina Invites China to Invest in PMG’s Petroleum Industry
Post Courier (PNG) 20250403
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/maladina-invites-china-to-invest-in-pngs-petroleum-industry/
China donates VT40 million worth of equipment to strengthen Vanuatu Police Force
Daily Post (VU) 20250403
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/china-donates-vt40-million-worth-of-equipment-to-strengthen-vanuatu-police-force/article_ec2611ce-3d6f-5a98-bbb6-5e7deeae8abd.html
Vanuatu Australia Policing and Justice Programme Phase 3 launched
Daily Post (VU) 20250402
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-australia-policing-and-justice-programme-phase-3-launched/article_29ce74fe-911c-59b6-9a51-66dc4feb2ace.html
Taiwan + SCS
Trump announces 32% tariff on imports from Taiwan
CNA (TW) 20250403
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202504030001
Taiwan calls Trump’s 32% tariff ‘deeply unreasonable’
Taipei Times 20250403
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/03/2003834561
Trump’s Tariffs Don’t Apply to Chips, but Taiwan Remains Wary
NYTimes 20250403
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/business/trump-tariffs-taiwan-chips.html
China to intensify crackdown on independence backers
Taipei Times 20250404
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/04/2003834608
"Taiwan independence" means nothing but war
China Military 20250403
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16378793.html
PLA takes aim at Taiwan’s coastal fuel depot in Strait Thunder 2025A war games
SCMP 20250403
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3305107/pla-takes-aim-taiwans-coastal-fuel-depot-strait-thunder-2025a-war-games
Chinese Military Wraps Intimidation Drills Off Taiwan
USNI 20250402
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/02/chinese-military-wraps-intimidation-drills-off-taiwan
China sends Shandong Carrier Strike Group to within 24 nautical miles of Taiwan's coast in largest drill of 2025
Naval News 20250403
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/china-sends-shandong-carrier-strike-group-to-within-24-nautical-miles-of-taiwans-coast-in-largest-drill-of-2025
How is the PLA making steady progress with its drills near Taiwan and what is next?
SCMP 20250403
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3305053/how-pla-achieving-steady-progress-its-drills-near-taiwan-and-what-next
Public has nothing to worry about Brawner’s Taiwan statements — Malacañang
ABS-CBN 20250502
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/04/02/2432983/public-has-nothing-worry-about-brawners-taiwan-statements-malacaang
Taiwan tracks 59 Chinese military aircraft, 31 ships
Taiwan News 20250403
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6076286
China Intensifies Strategy to Block U.S. Intervention in Case of Conflict in Taiwan or South China Sea
Yomiuri 20250403
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250404-246821/
China Drone Flights Near Japan up 7 Times From Fiscal 2021; Is China Preparing for Possible Taiwan Invasion?
Yomiuri 20250403
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250403-246788/
US Clears Possible $5B Sale of Jet Fighters to Philippines
The Diplomat 20250403
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/us-clears-possible-5b-sale-of-jet-fighters-to-philippines/
Chinese research vessel in PH waters en route to Indian Ocean 'to fish' – PCG
ABS-CBN 20250403
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/3/chinese-research-vessel-in-ph-waters-en-route-to-indian-ocean-to-fish-pcg-1515
Capabilities
We tried ‘fighting China’ with lower budgets. It didn’t go well.
Defense One 20250403
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2025/04/we-tried-fighting-china-lower-budgets-it-didnt-go-well/404251/
Why Does the United States Need a More Flexible Nuclear Force?
CSIS 20250403
https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-does-united-states-need-more-flexible-nuclear-force
From Production Lines to Front Lines
CNAS 20250403
https://www.cnas.org/publications/reports/from-production-lines-to-front-lines
Aircraft Carrier Suppliers Warn of Production Going Cold
SeaPower 20250403
https://seapowermagazine.org/aircraft-carrier-suppliers-warn-of-production-going-cold/
Graybeards Spell Out Myths, True Fixes For U.S. Shipbuilding
National Defense 20250403
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/4/3/graybeards-spell-out-myths-true-fixes-for-us-shipbuilding
US Defence Strategy in the Indo-Pacific: Hegseth’s Push under Trump 2.0
ORF 20250403
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/us-defence-strategy-in-the-indo-pacific-hegseth-s-push-under-trump-2-0
Submarine Surveillance System That’s Rapidly Deployable, Unpredictable Unveiled By Anduril
TWZ 20250402
https://www.twz.com/sea/submarine-surveillance-system-thats-rapidly-deployable-unpredictable-unveiled-by-anduril
Japan proposes co-production of SM-6 missiles to the U.S.
Naval News 20250403
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/japan-proposes-co-production-of-sm-6-missiles-to-the-u-s/
Japan develops new missiles designed to repel an invasion
Defense News 20250403
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/04/03/japan-develops-new-missiles-designed-to-repel-an-invasion/
Australia sizes up a continent-size gap in air defenses
Defense News 20250403
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/04/03/australia-sizes-up-a-continent-size-gap-in-air-defenses/
Technology can make Team Australia fit for strategic competition
ASPI 20250403
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/technology-can-make-team-australia-fit-for-strategic-competition/
Space Force’s Saltzman: US national security space policy ‘lagging’ needs
Breaking Defense 20250403
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/cso-saltzman-us-national-security-space-policy-lagging-needs/
How China is expanding its anti-satellite arsenal
Defense One 20250403
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/04/how-china-expanding-its-anti-satellite-arsenal/404283/
China successfully launches new satellite
Xinhua 20250403
https://english.news.cn/20250403/500cba10f41a47b6a35c44e212cea7bc/c.html
China expands counterspace capabilities, new report finds
Space News 20250403
https://spacenews.com/china-expands-counterspace-capabilities-new-report-finds/
A letter from the editors
Benar 20250402
https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/philippine/letter-from-editors-benarnews-pauses-operations-04022025104657.html
Exercises
PN sees 'enhanced maritime cooperation' with Australian counterpart
PNA 20250403
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1247372
Events
Deepening the U.S.-Japan Space Security Relationship
CSIS 11 April 2024 1-4PM EDT
https://www.csis.org/events/deepening-us-japan-space-security-relationship