Pacific Winds 20250409

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

Strengthening ties: How the US and the Philippines are navigating the Indo-Pacific
Think China 20250408
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/strengthening-ties-how-us-and-philippines-are-navigating-indo-pacific

Why US Defense Secretary chooses the Philippines as his Asia-Pacific tour's first stop?
China Military 20250408
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16379416.html

Can Australia Learn Anything from China?
AIIA 20250408
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/can-australia-learn-anything-from-china/

Totally, deeply entangled': UK launches inquiry into AUKUS submarine pact
ABC (AU) 20250408
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-radio-national-hour/aukus-uk-review/105148520

Trump: Japan Treats U.S. Poorly
Yomiuri 20250408
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/politics-government/20250408-247706/

Trump asks panel to re-examine Nippon Steel's plan to buy U.S. Steel
Kyodo 20250408
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/d026690e9aaf-update3-trump-asks-panel-to-re-examine-nippon-steels-plan-to-buy-us-steel.html

Cracks in Japan, U.S., European Ties Benefit China, Says Former Japanese Ambassador to China
Yomiuri 20250408
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/business/yies/20250408-247665/

Trump says he, Han discussed S. Korea's defense payments, 'tremendous' trade surplus in 1st call
Yonhap 20250409
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250408011955315

China denounces as 'blackmail' Trump's threat to ratchet tariffs higher
Reuters 20250407
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-says-it-will-never-accept-us-blackmail-escalated-tariff-threats-2025-04-08/

China-led anti-US tariff pact bruited as Trump 50% deadline looms
Asia Times 202500408
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/trade-war-escalates-as-trump-threatens-china-with-50-tariff/

China vows response to ‘the end’ after US’ new 50% tariff threat
GT 20250409
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1331707.shtml

Donald Trump awaiting China's call to discuss tariffs as deadline looms for 104 per cent levy
ABC (AU) 20250409
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-09/donald-trump-waiting-for-china-to-call-over-tariff-plans/105154212

‘Ignorant, disrespectful’: China slams Vance for ‘peasants’ slur as tariff war intensifies
SCMP 20250408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3305715/ignorant-disrespectful-china-slams-vance-peasants-slur-tariff-war-intensifies

Beijing’s balancing act aims to trump US tariffs
EAF 20250408
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/04/08/beijings-balancing-act-aims-to-trump-us-tariffs/

Is Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ opening the door to China to join the CPTPP?
SCMP 20240408
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3305527/trumps-liberation-day-opening-door-china-join-cptpp

Countering China’s Trade Practices With Investment Tax Policy
CFR 20250408
https://www.cfr.org/event/countering-chinas-trade-practices-investment-tax-policy

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Military buildup over halfway complete, housing shortage concerns remain
KUAM 20250408
https://www.kuam.com/story/52674379/military-buildup-over-halfway-complete-housing-shortage-concerns-remain

Palau deports Chinese criminals, reinforces Indo-Pacific security
Asia Times 20250409
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/palau-deports-chinese-criminals-reinforces-indo-pacific-security/

‘Like a dagger to the heart of the American heartland’
PIT 20250408
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/like-a-dagger-to-the-heart-of-the-american-heartland

Island Waves

China ramps up aid to Pacific Island nations
China Daily 20250408
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202504/08/WS67f47b07a3104d9fd381e082.html

China’s Power Play Across the Pacific
CSIS 20250408
https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-power-play-across-pacific

VT2 billion grant from China for Port Vila CBD road upgrades
Daily Post (VU) 20250408
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vt2-billion-grant-from-china-for-port-vila-cbd-road-upgrades/article_d5ca623c-fb36-5995-8b32-aec2bfadd28e.html

China State Construction Invited to Invest in Petroleum Industry
PNG Haus Bung 20250408
https://pnghausbung.com/china-state-construction-invited-to-invest-in-petroleum-industry/

Roberts keen to deepen ties with Fiji
FBCN 20250408
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/roberts-keen-to-deepen-ties-with-fiji/

National Guard Bureau chief sees promising partnership in Timor-Leste
US IndoPaCom 20250407
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/NEWS/News-Article-View/Article/4148499/national-guard-bureau-chief-sees-promising-partnership-in-timor-leste/

Taiwan willing to work with Tuvalu on addressing climate change: Lai
Taipei Times 20250409
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/09/2003834882

Taiwan + xCS

Taiwan lines up sweeteners for US after Trump tariff blow. But how far will they go?
SCMP 20250408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3305695/taiwan-lines-sweeteners-us-after-trump-tariffs-blow-how-far-will-they-go

Taiwan’s Youth Are Not Defeatist — and The Data Proves It
The Diplomat 20250409
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/taiwans-youth-are-not-defeatist-and-the-data-proves-it/

Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military aircraft, 6 ships
Taiwan News 20250408
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6079265

PCG challenges Chinese ship amid ‘Cope Thunder’ drills
Inquirer (PH) 20250408
https://www.inquirer.net/435480/pcg-challenges-chinese-ship-amid-cope-thunder-drills/

Philippine vessel repelled after provocative actions near Huangyan Dao
Xinhua 20250408
https://english.news.cn/20250408/6147a890d8c64fd586c0802ee69ce058/c.html

Beijing declared milestone on South China Sea Code of Conduct. Is it progress or a tactic?
SCMP 20250408
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3305473/beijing-declared-milestone-south-china-sea-code-conduct-it-progress-or-tactic

U.S. forces to deploy large reconnaissance drones in southern Japan
Kyodo 20250408
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/efc17ea11fd7-us-forces-to-deploy-large-reconnaissance-drones-in-southern-japan.html

Seoul protests Japan's Dokdo claim in latest policy paper, urges immediate withdrawal
Yonhap 20250408
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250408005300315

Capabilities

Acting CNO reveals fleets’ surge readiness at around 68 percent amid quest for 80
Breaking Defense 20250408
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/acting-cno-reveals-fleets-surge-readiness-at-around-68-percent-amid-quest-for-80/

Top Marine’s deployment plans face familiar wrinkle: Inert Navy ships
Defense News 20250408
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-marine-corps/2025/04/08/top-marines-deployment-plans-face-familiar-wrinkle-inert-navy-ships/

Troubled Amphib Readiness Prompting Navy to Rethink Maintenance Plan
USNI 20250407
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/07/troubled-amphib-readiness-prompting-navy-to-rethink-maintenance-plan

Top US, South Korean shipbuilders partner to bolster vessel production
Defense News 20250407
https://www.defensenews.com/news/your-military/2025/04/07/top-us-south-korean-shipbuilders-partner-to-bolster-vessel-production/

USMC is Ready to be Tip of the Spear, but Needs Steady Funding, Smith Says
SeaPower 20250408
https://seapowermagazine.org/sea-air-space-usmc-is-ready-to-be-tip-of-the-spear-but-needs-steady-funding-smith-says/

Marines’ ship-killer missile system to get extended stay in the Philippines
S&S 20250408
https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2025-04-08/marines-anti-ship-missiles-philippines-17405227.html

Philippine Navy receives first guided-missile corvette, BRP Miguel Malvar
Naval News 20250408
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/philippine-navy-receives-first-guided-missile-corvette-brp-miguel-malvar/

In Japan, NATO chief warns of China’s ‘staggering’ military build-up
SCMP 20250408
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3305704/japan-nato-chief-warns-chinas-staggering-military-build

China’s Type 076 Amphibious Carrier: What It Does and Why It Matters
The Diplomat 20250408
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/chinas-type-076-amphibious-carrier-what-it-does-and-why-it-matters/

Desert Storm: China’s Gobi missile salvo a message for US
Asia Times 20250408
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/desert-storm-chinas-gobi-missile-salvo-a-message-for-us/

Russia and China’s Military Production Surge: Why the U.S. Military Is Alarmed
AEI 20250408
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/russia-and-chinas-military-production-surge-why-the-u-s-military-is-alarmed/

How China Views South Korea’s Nuclear Debate
CSIS 20250408
https://www.csis.org/analysis/how-china-views-south-koreas-nuclear-debate

Japan-U.S. missile defense project is 'model for cooperation': Northrop CEO
Nikkei 20250408
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Aerospace-Defense-Industries/Japan-U.S.-missile-defense-project-is-model-for-cooperation-Northrop-CEO

NATO chief makes Japan debut with focus on defense industry tie-ups
Japan Times 20250408
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/08/japan/politics/nato-mark-rutte-yokosuka/

Defense Command and Control:Further Progress Hinges on Establishing a Comprehensive Framework
US GAO 20250408
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106454

How to Win a War in Space: SPACECOM’s 5 Keys
Air & Space 20250408
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/war-in-space-spacecom-5-keys/

The US needs ‘weapons in space,’ SPACECOM head says
Defense One 20250408
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/04/us-needs-weapons-space-spacecom-head-says/404393/

U.S. Space Command chief calls for new capabilities for combat while emphasizing deterrence
Space News 20250408
https://spacenews.com/u-s-space-command-chief-calls-for-new-capabilities-for-combat-while-emphasizing-deterrence/

SDA opens contest for 54 ‘Tranche 3’ missile tracking satellites
Breaking Defense 20250408
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/sda-opens-contest-for-54-tranche-3-missile-tracking-satellites/

Industry eyes continuous satellite production to keep pace with demand
Space News 20250408
https://spacenews.com/industry-eyes-continuous-satellite-production-to-keep-pace-with-demand/

Drones Don’t Render Traditional Weaponry Obsolete
Heritage 20250408
https://www.heritage.org/defense/commentary/drones-dont-render-traditional-weaponry-obsolete

A $1 trillion defense budget? Trump, Hegseth say it’s happening
Breaking Defense 20250407
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/04/a-1-trillion-defense-budget-trump-hegseth-say-its-happening/

Defence minister won't say if security agencies or Trump administration pushed for Darwin Port backflip
ABC (AU) 20250417
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-07/defence-minister-wont-say-if-trump-pushed-darwin-port-backflip/105148026

Intel agency expanding proliferated constellation with April launches
Defense News 20250408
https://www.defensenews.com/space/2025/04/08/intel-agency-expanding-proliferated-constellation-with-april-launches/

New Zealand vows to play catch-up on defense investments
Defense News 20250408
https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/2025/04/08/new-zealand-vows-to-play-catch-up-on-defense-investments/

Exercises

Navy Is About To Go Big On Massive Joint War Training Across The Pacific
TWZ 20250408
https://www.twz.com/sea/navy-is-about-to-go-big-on-massive-joint-war-training-across-the-pacific

Japanese Fighter Jets Scrambled 30 Times Against Chinese Military Drones in FY2024, the Highest on Record
The Diplomat 20250407
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/japanese-fighter-jets-scrambled-30-times-against-chinese-military-drones-in-fy2024-the-highest-on-record/

Testing a Rival’s Response: China’s Gray Zone Tactics in Australia
The Diplomat 20250407
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/testing-a-rivals-response-chinas-gray-zone-tactics-in-australia/

U.S. Marines, Philippine Troops Hold Coastal Defense, Amphibious Drills in the Philippines
USNI 202500408
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/08/u-s-marines-philippine-troops-hold-costal-defense-amphibious-drills-in-the-philippines

N.K. troops briefly cross border at eastern front line: S. Korean military
Yonhap 20250408
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250408011451315