Pacific Winds 20250415
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Trump’s Impact on Japan and ASEAN
The Diplomat 20250414
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/trumps-impact-on-japan-and-asean/
How Trump’s Coercion Could Backfire in Asia
FA 20250414
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/how-trumps-coercion-could-backfire-asia
It's time for allies to de-risk from the U.S.
Nikkei 20250414
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/It-s-time-for-allies-to-de-risk-from-the-U.S
Has Trump Done Us a Favour? Reminding us to Prioritise Our Region
AIIA 20250414
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/has-trump-done-us-a-favour-reminding-us-to-prioritise-our-region/
Asia without America? History shows Australia can be confident shaping regional security
Lowy 20250414
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/asia-without-america-history-shows-australia-can-be-confident-shaping-regional
U.S. lawmakers tell S. Korean FM that America will not pull out of Indo-Pacific
Yonhap 20250414
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250414009200315
Ishiba calls Singapore PM Wong to convey U.S. tariff concerns
Nikkei 20250414
https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/Trade-war/Trump-tariffs/Ishiba-calls-Singapore-PM-Wong-to-convey-U.S.-tariff-concerns
Japan not to compromise in rush to wrap up tariff talks with U.S.: PM
Kyodo 20250414
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/2418d5963972-update1-japan-negotiator-rules-out-currency-as-topic-in-us-tariff-talks.html
China’s Leader Courts Vietnam as Trade War With the U.S. Mounts
NYTimes 20250414
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/14/world/asia/china-vietnam-tariffs-trump.html
Industry minister meets S. Korean firms in Vietnam to discuss response to U.S. tariffs
Yonhap 20250414
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250414004900320
The Contentious U.S.-China Trade Relationship
CFR 20250414
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/contentious-us-china-trade-relationship
China holds more trade war cards than Trump thinks
Asia Times 20250414
https://asiatimes.com/2025/04/china-holds-more-trade-war-cards-than-trump-thinks/
‘Extreme’ US-China decoupling could cost US$2.5 trillion in equity, bond sell-off: Goldman
SCMP 20250414
https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3306443/us-china-decoupling-could-cost-us25-trillion-extreme-goldman-warns
No country ‘off the hook’ on US tariffs, Trump warns
SCMP 20250414
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3306378/no-country-hook-us-tariffs-trump-warns
What’s next in the US trade conflict?
Lowy 20250414
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/what-s-next-us-trade-conflict
Trump’s tariffs put science to the test. Why US labs could suffer more than China’s
SCMP 20250414
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3306411/trumps-tariffs-put-science-test-why-us-labs-could-suffer-more-chinas
Australian businesses manufacturing in China caught by steepest US tariffs
ABC (AU) 20240514
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-14/australian-firms-manufacturing-china-caught-trump-tariffs/105165444
The Limits of Chip Export Controls in Meeting the China Challenge
CSIS 20250414
https://www.csis.org/analysis/limits-chip-export-controls-meeting-china-challenge
Island Waves
Leaked 'working paper' on New Caledonia's political future sparks concern
RNZ 20250414
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/558147/leaked-working-paper-on-new-caledonia-s-political-future-sparks-concern
PLA Assertiveness in the Tasman Sea Is a Wake-up Call on China’s Dual-Use Infrastructure in the Pacific
The Diplomat 20250414
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/pla-assertiveness-in-the-tasman-sea-is-a-wake-up-call-on-chinas-dual-use-infrastructure-in-the-pacific/
How China's Military is Quietly Gaining Control of the Pacific
Newsweek 20250414
https://www.newsweek.com/china-south-pacific-strategic-dual-use-infrastructure-us-military-2059048
China’s Dual-Use Infrastructure in the Pacific
Sinopsis 20240415
https://sinopsis.cz/en/chinas-dual-use-infrastructure-in-the-pacific/
CAUSE II project to rehabilitate key bridges and drainage in Honiara
SIBC 20250414
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/cause-ii-project-to-rehabilitate-key-bridges-and-drainage-in-honiara/
Tuvalu deputy PM in Taiwan to bolster bilateral cooperation
Taiwan News 20250414
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6084830
Evacuation of Sakishima Islands Residents: Protect Safety of Remote Islands with Thorough Plan
Yomiuri 20250414
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250414-248942/
Taiwan + xCS
‘Invasion’ barges, subsea cable cutters and surprise naval drills: how China is testing Donald Trump
Guardian 20250414
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/14/china-taiwan-military-drills-trump-barges-asia-pacific-security
Taiwan to double drone production to counter Chinese invasion capabilities
Taiwan News 20250414
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6084274
Trump Tariffs Spark Political Debate in Taiwan
The Diplomat 20250414
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/trump-tariffs-spark-political-debate-in-taiwan/
Taiwan tracks 7 Chinese naval ships, 6 military aircraft
Taiwan News 20250414
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6084079
Philippines says voiced South China Sea concerns during ASEAN-China negotiations
Reuters 20250414
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-says-voiced-south-china-sea-concerns-during-asean-china-negotiations-2025-04-14/
S. Korea, China likely to hold maritime talks this month after standoff in Yellow Sea
Yonhap 20250414
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250414006700315
Capabilities
The Challenge of Military Surprise in an Open World
CSIS 22050414
https://www.csis.org/analysis/challenge-military-surprise-open-world
It’s (past) time to get serious about funding Australia’s defence and security
ASPI 20250414
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/its-past-time-to-get-serious-about-funding-australias-defence-and-security/
Japan starts production of a new fleet of OPV
Naval News 20250414
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/04/japan-starts-production-of-a-new-fleet-of-opv/
Japan's intention to reshape its underwater combat layout warrants vigilance
China Military 20250414
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/OPINIONS_209196/Opinions_209197/16380363.html
New Zealand joins space multinational force – OPERATION OLYMPIC DEFENDER
US Space Com 20250414
https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/News/Article-Display/Article/4154114/new-zealand-joins-space-multinational-force-operation-olympic-defender/
Exercises
USN Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 14, 2025
USNI 20250414
https://news.usni.org/2025/04/14/usni-news-fleet-and-marine-tracker-april-14-2025