Pacific Winds 20250424
A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region
Alliances
Japan wants to 'separate' tariff and security issues. That may be tough.
Japan Times 20250423
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/23/japan/politics/japan-us-trade-security-talks/
Will Japan risk its US alliance to team up with China against Trump’s tariffs?
SCMP 20250423
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3307619/will-japan-risk-its-us-alliance-team-china-against-trumps-tariffs
Japan’s ties with China: between conservatism and pragmatism
GT 20250423
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332722.shtml
Japan to emphasize benefits of free trade to U.S. in tariff talks: PM
Kyodo 20250423
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/3808dd3b223d-update1-japan-to-emphasize-benefits-of-free-trade-to-us-in-tariff-talks-pm.html
Bessent calls for allies' stronger defense commitments ahead of trade talks with S. Korea
Yonhap 20250424
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250424000400315
S. Korea, U.S. to keep Nuclear Consultative Group under Trump administration
Yonhap 20250423
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250423009900315
S. Korea's new gov't may have to deal with U.S. 'strategic flexibility' over USFK: U.S. expert
Yonhap 20250423
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250423007800315
U.S.-ROK Negotiations: An Opportunity to Reset on Trade, Investment, and Technology
CSIS 20250423
https://www.csis.org/analysis/us-rok-negotiations-opportunity-reset-trade-investment-and-technology
China Has a Long Way to Go to Fill Void Left by US Aid Pullback
Bloomberg 20250422
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-22/china-has-a-long-way-to-go-to-fill-void-left-by-us-aid-pullback
Why Indonesia increasing defence cooperation with Beijing is a problem for Australia
The Nightly (AU) 20240422
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/australia/why-indonesia-increasing-defence-cooperation-with-beijing-is-a-problem-for-australia-c-18449121
Japan PM to make 4-day visit to Vietnam, Philippines from April 27
Kyodo 20250423
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/04/23f901bb5b6a-update1-japan-pm-to-make-4-day-visit-to-vietnam-philippines-from-sunday.html
As Donald Trump’s tariffs hit US allies hard, will China make inroads?
SCMP 20250423
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3307657/donald-trumps-tariffs-hit-us-allies-hard-will-china-make-inroads
US govt appears to soften tone on China tariffs; levy 'unsustainable'
GT 20250423
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332741.shtml
"Tariffs as tribute" lay bare U.S. intent to cling on to hegemony
Xinhua 20250423
https://english.news.cn/20250423/c7f0165cccf84e21936b1341359d91fd/c.html
What kind of 'big deal' do China and the US need?
GT 20250423
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202504/1332750.shtml
Micronesia-Marianas (2nd Island Chain+)
Pacific airfield that set stage for atomic bombing of Japan set for revival
ABC (AU) 20250423
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-23/pacific-runway-that-launched-atomic-bombs-to-be-revived/105177950
Island Waves
$200 million upgrade at Vatukoula Gold Mines
Fiji Times 20250423
https://www.fijitimes.com.fj/200-million-upgrade-at-vatukoula-gold-mines/
Fiji seeks new climate partners amid uncertain USAID
FBCN 20250423
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/climate-change/fiji-seeks-new-climate-partners-amid-uncertain-usaid/
Rabuka and Wong commit to deepening cooperation
FBCN 20250423
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/rabuka-and-wong-commit-to-deepening-cooperation/
New Caledonia talks to resume this month, but differences remain
Islands Business 20250423
https://islandsbusiness.com/news-break/new-caledonia-talks-to-resume-this-month-but-differences-remain/
Pacific Islands Forum mission in Washington seeking funding for resilience facility
RNZ 20250423
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/558902/pacific-islands-forum-mission-in-washington-seeking-funding-for-resilience-facility
Japanese Navy skips Vanuatu in major Pacific deployment
Daily Post (VU) 20250423
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/japanese-navy-skips-vanuatu-in-major-pacific-deployment/article_bd00b687-043a-550a-b243-e2b8027b194b.html
Taiwan + SCS
US sending Taiwan hundreds of Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles this year
Taiwan News 20250423
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6092270
Fujian Coast Guard conducts routine law enforcement patrols in waters near Kinmen
China Military 20250423
http://eng.chinamil.com.cn/CHINA_209163/TopStories_209189/16382369.html
Why We Should Be Skeptical of Taiwan Youth’s Self-Reported Willingness To Fight
The Diplomat 20250422
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/why-we-should-be-skeptical-of-taiwan-youths-self-reported-willingness-to-fight/
Has Trump abandoned Taiwan?
Think China 20250422
https://www.thinkchina.sg/politics/has-trump-abandoned-taiwan
Taiwan tracks 29 Chinese military aircraft, 8 ships
Taiwan News 20250423
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6091898
How the Philippines Can Counter China’s South China Sea Aggression
The Diplomat 20250423
https://thediplomat.com/2025/04/how-the-philippines-can-counter-chinas-south-china-sea-aggression/
S. Korea, China hold maritime talks amid tensions over steel structures in Yellow Sea
Yonhap 20250423
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250422007551315
Capabilities
U.S. delivering 'more forward' Indo-Pacific force posture to deter China: Pentagon chief
Yonhap 20250424
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250424000300315
Australian statecraft must restore the link between deterrence and non-proliferation to survive in the new nuclear age
ASPI 20250423
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/australian-statecraft-must-restore-the-link-between-deterrence-and-non-proliferation-to-survive-in-the-new-nuclear-age/
Ex-US intel official softens stance on ROK nuclear armament amid growing threats
NK News 20250423
https://www.nknews.org/2025/04/ex-us-intel-official-softens-stance-on-rok-nuclear-armament-amid-growing-threats/
Bomb or bandwagon? US foreign policy scholars debate Japan's future
Nikkei 20250424
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Trump-administration/Bomb-or-bandwagon-US-foreign-policy-scholars-debate-Japan-s-future
Philippine Banks Mull ‘Defense Bonds’ to Fund Military Upgrades
Bloomberg 20250423
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-23/philippine-bank-mulls-defense-bonds-to-fund-military-upgrades
Senior Pentagon Official Says Cyber Warfare Poses Significant Threat to Joint Force
US DoD 20250422
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4163237/senior-pentagon-official-says-cyber-warfare-poses-significant-threat-to-joint-f/
China reveals key capabilities of four major submarine classes during Navy Day
Army Recognition 20250423
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/china-reveals-key-capabilities-of-four-major-submarine-classes-during-navy-day
To bootstrap US maritime industrial base, link allies and innovators
Defense News 20250422
https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/2025/04/22/to-bootstrap-us-maritime-industrial-base-link-allies-and-innovators/
The guardian’s rifle: why mission-essential space support cannot be outsourced
Space News 20250423
https://spacenews.com/the-guardians-rifle-why-mission-essential-space-support-cannot-be-outsourced/
Airmen Confused and Understaffed for Elements of ACE, Report Says
Air & Space 20250422
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-ace-rand-report/
Exercises
U.S. military holds 'nuclear weapon effects' training in S. Korea for 1st time
Yonhap 20250423
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250423005500315
Map Follows US Stealth Warship Through Pacific Waters
Newsweek 20250423
https://www.newsweek.com/us-news-navy-stealth-ship-michael-monsoor-deployment-pacific-2063024