Pacific Winds 20250420
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
‘Sympathy Budget’ to Be Focus in Tariff Negotiations; U.S. President Trump Calls Over ¥200 Billion Annual Japanese Support for American Troops Insufficient
Yomiuri 20250419
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/politics/defense-security/20250419-250046/
Whoever wins the federal election on May 3 will face a fork in the road for Australia's future
ABC (AU) 20250419
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-19/united-states-china-tariff-trade-war-federal-election-future/105189008
China and the United States’ order-building race in the Indo-Pacific
EAF 20250419
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/04/19/china-and-the-united-states-order-building-race-in-the-indo-pacific/
Multiple Chinese industry associations oppose US restrictions on China’s maritime, logistics, shipbuilding sectors
GT 20250419
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332435.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Environmental report on Guam missile defense due by early fall
GDP 20250419
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/environmental-report-on-guam-missile-defense-due-by-early-fall/article_e3aa5a39-5fb0-4aa5-837a-cfb1cf024486.html
Island Waves
Bougainville: Is this the world's newest country? It could become independent by 2027 if Donald Trump can be persuaded. Here's where it is and what makes it so special
Economic Times 20250419
https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/bougainville-is-this-the-worlds-newest-country-it-could-become-independent-by-2027-if-donald-trump-can-be-persuaded-heres-where-it-is-and-what-makes-it-so-special/amp_articleshow/120438816.cms
Youth leaders bring important lessons from China
Samoa Observer 20250419
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/113960
Japan, U.S. patrol Okinawa streets after sexual assaults
Japan Times 20250419
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/19/japan/society/japan-us-okinawa-street-patrol/
Taiwan + SCS
US will keep helping Taiwan in its self-defence, senator says in Taipei
Reuters 20250418
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-will-keep-helping-taiwan-its-self-defence-senator-says-taipei-2025-04-18/
Widow of Japan ex-PM Abe links Taiwan's safety with that of Japan
Kyodo 20250419
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/f2a490111b7e-widow-of-japan-ex-pm-abe-links-taiwans-safety-with-that-of-japan.html
Taiwan a critical US partner: Schriver
Taipei Times 20250420
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/04/20/2003835495
Ex-U.S. official 'cautiously optimistic' on U.S.' Indo-Pacific backing
CNA (TW) 20250419
https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202504190014
China’s military pressure near Taiwan is up 300 percent: What it means for the US
The Hill 20250419
https://thehill.com/policy/international/5256216-china-military-pressure-taiwan-us/
Taiwan tracks 14 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250419
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6089143
Capabilities
China successfully launches new test satellites
Xinhua 20250419
https://english.news.cn/20250419/7785267b9b0f443ea5bbde51dbabf476/c.html
China launches 6 classified experimental satellites with Long March 6A
Space News 20250419
https://spacenews.com/china-launches-6-classified-experimental-satellites-with-long-march-6a/
U.S. Adds Fees for Chinese Ships in Effort to Boost Shipbuilding
NYTimes 20250418
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/business/trump-chinese-ships-fees.html