Pacific Winds 20250405
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Donald Trump’s pick for Beijing envoy affirms US commitment to one-China policy
SCMP 20250404
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3305169/donald-trumps-pick-beijing-envoy-affirms-us-commitment-one-china-policy
FM Cho calls for U.S. to consider alliance in implementing tariff measures
Yonhap 20250404
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404002451315
Over 63 pct of S. Korean students view N. Korea with caution, animosity: poll
Yonhap 20250404
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404003600315
Seoul’s pivot after Yoon’s removal could prove a win for China
Asia Times 20240404
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/seouls-pivot-after-yoons-removal-could-prove-a-win-for-china/
Trump’s Subtle Shift on China: From Economic Coercion to Military Confrontation
The Diplomat 20250403
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/trumps-subtle-shift-on-china-from-economic-coercion-to-military-confrontation/
Faced With a Changed Ally, Australia Debates the Need for a ‘Plan B’
NYTimes 20250404
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/world/australia/us-trump-security-alliance.html
Xi’s long game: Trump’s tariffs threaten US influence in East Asia
Think China 20250404
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/xis-long-game-trumps-tariffs-threaten-us-influence-east-asia
Burnt allies: Japan, S Korea toe cautious line after Trump tariffs
Asia Times 20250404
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/burnt-allies-japan-s-korea-toe-cautious-line-after-trump-tariffs/
Japan plans extra steps to deal with tariffs, figure out Trump
Asahi 20250404
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15697365
U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs: Outrageous Move Will Destroy Free Trade System / Japan Must Help Develop Countermeasures
Yomiuri 20250404
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250404-246989/
China hits back at US with 34% extra tariffs, lawsuit at WTO following its 'reciprocal tariffs'
GT 20250404
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331476.shtml
China hits back hard in global trade war with tariffs on US goods
Reuters 20250404
https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/europe-prepares-response-trump-tariffs-global-markets-plunge-2025-04-04/
Trump’s Trade War Escalates as China Retaliates With 34% Tariffs
NYTimes 20240404
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/business/china-trump-tariffs-retaliation.html
China and the Impact of “Liberation Day” Tariffs
CSIS 20250404
https://www.csis.org/analysis/china-and-impact-liberation-day-tariffs
Trump Blocked America’s Front Door to China. Now He’s Closing Back Doors.
NYTimes 20250404
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/04/business/trump-china-tariffs.html
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
USCGC Oliver Henry returns to Guam after successful transit post drydock, historic regional engagement
USCG FMSG 20240404
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/494547/uscgc-oliver-henry-returns-guam-after-successful-transit-post-drydock-historic-regional-engagement
Peace begins in Guam: Former JGPO chief says military investments will assure stability in the region
PIT 20250404
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/peace-begins-in-guam-former-jgpo-chief-says-military-investments-will-assure-stability-in-the-regio
Island Waves
Fiji challenges 32 percent US tariff
FBCN 20250404
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-challenges-32-percent-us-tariff/
New US tariff on Fijian exports threatens economic relations
FBCN 20250404
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/professor-prasad-labels-new-us-tariff-as-unfair/
Chinese Ambassador Visits Easy New Britain Province, Discusses Enhaced Cooperation
Post Courier (PNG) 20250404
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/chinese-ambassador-visits-east-new-britain-province-discusses-enhanced-cooperation/
US Army Team Conducting Training with PNGDF Personnel
The National 20250404
https://www.thenational.com.pg/us-army-team-conducting-training-with-pngdf-personnel/
Taiwan + SCS
S. Korea, U.S., Japan call for end to 'destabilizing' actions around Taiwan in veiled warning to China
Yonhap 20250404
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404002400315
Minister hails US, Japan, S Korea’s stance on Strait
Taipei Times 20250405
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/05/2003834667
With tensions rising in Taiwan, civil defence becomes a high-wire act
SCMP 20250404
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3305281/tensions-rising-taiwan-civil-defence-becomes-high-wire-act
Trump's early moves should give Taiwan confidence
Nikkei 20250404
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Trump-s-early-moves-should-give-Taiwan-confidence
What’s in a name? China tests Trump’s resolve on Taiwan
Lowy 20250404
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-s-name-china-tests-trump-s-resolve-taiwan
Signaling Displeasure With Washington, China Conducts Military Exercises Around Taiwan
FDD 202504003
https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2025/04/03/signaling-displeasure-with-washington-china-conducts-military-exercises-around-taiwan/
Trump tariffs aim to cut trade deficit, won't affect security ties: Scholars
CNA (TW) 20250404
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202504040015
South China Sea: mounting China-Philippine spy cases risk rattling economic relations
SCMP 20250404
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3305209/south-china-sea-mounting-china-philippine-spy-cases-risk-rattling-economic-relations
Capabilities
China’s KD-21 missile puts US carriers and bases at range
Asia Times 20250404
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/chinas-kd-21-missile-puts-us-carriers-and-bases-at-range/
U.S. Patriot missile batteries in S. Korea to be temporarily deployed to Middle East
Yonhap 20250404
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404002700315
The Navy needs a high/low mix of manned and unmanned platforms
Breaking Defense 202500404
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/the-navy-needs-a-high-low-mix-of-manned-and-unmanned-platforms/
The Army’s Newest Units are Needed in the Indo-Pacific
TNI 20250403
https://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-armys-newest-units-are-needed-in-the-indo-pacific
Australia’s plan for acquiring nuclear-powered submarines is on track
ASPI 20250404
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australias-plan-for-acquiring-nuclear-powered-submarines-is-on-track/
‘Purchase of US jets not aimed vs any country’
PhilStar 20250404
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/04/04/2433376/purchase-us-jets-not-aimed-vs-any-country
From support to ‘warfighting’: Space Force releases first ‘capstone’ operations doctrine
Breaking Defense 20250404
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/from-support-to-warfighting-space-force-releases-first-capstone-operations-doctrine/
U.S. Space Force releases new capstone doctrine
US Space Force 20250404
https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/Portals/2/Space%20Force%20Doctrine%20Document%201%20FINAL_4Apr25.pdf
Pentagon urges faster militarisation of space, citing China’s advances
SCMP 20250404
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3305155/pentagon-officials-urge-faster-militarisation-space-citing-chinas-advances
China’s Underwater Power Play: The PRC’s New Subsea Cable-Cutting Ship Spooks International Security Experts
CSIS 20250404
https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-underwater-power-play-prcs-new-subsea-cable-cutting-ship-spooks-international
China-leased Port of Darwin to return to 'Australian hands': Albanese
Nikkei 20240404
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/International-relations/China-leased-Port-of-Darwin-to-return-to-Australian-hands-Albanese
Power
Turmoil in Washington and US power in Asia
USSC 20250404
https://www.ussc.edu.au/turmoil-in-washington-and-u-s-power-in-asia
“Aligning” aid: Which interests and whose interests?
Lowy 20250404
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/aligning-aid-which-interests-whose-interests
Exercises
Japan- U.S. Bilateral Exercise
JMSDF 20250404
https://www.mod.go.jp/msdf/en/release/202504/20250404en.pdf