Pacific Winds 20250531

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

France's Macron calls for Asian coalitions as he warns of US-China divisions
Reuters 20250530
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/division-between-us-china-is-biggest-risk-confronting-world-now-frances-macron-2025-05-30/

Can Japan fill the leadership void as America steps back from Asia?
Lowy 20250530
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/can-japan-fill-leadership-void-america-steps-back-asia

Explainer: Why didn’t China send higher-ranking officials to attend 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue?
GT 20250530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335141.shtml

Will Trump withdraw USFK? Seoul should be prepared for a proactive strategy in case he does
USSC 20250530
https://www.ussc.edu.au/will-trump-withdraw-usfk-seoul-should-be-prepared-for-a-proactive-strategy-in-case-he-does

What’s Happening with U.S. Troop Withdrawal in Korea?
CSIS 20250530
https://beyondparallel.csis.org/whats-happening-with-u-s-troop-withdrawal-in-korea/

‘US troops critical’: South Korean presidential candidate signals turn on China policy
SCMP 20250530
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3312478/us-troops-critical-south-korean-presidential-candidate-signals-turn-china-policy

Asserting Australian Diplomacy beyond US interests
AIIA 20250529
https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/asserting-australian-diplomacy-beyond-us-interests/

Philippines seeks rules-based maritime order amid global turbulance
Nikkei 20250530
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Future-of-Asia/The-Future-of-Asia-2025/Philippines-seeks-rules-based-maritime-order-amid-global-turbulance

Ex-top U.S. envoy says geopolitical challenges in Indo-Pacific cannot be looked at in 'stovepiped way'
Yonhap 20250530
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250530005000315

Japan rules out defense deal in return for U.S. tariff easing
Kyodo 20250530
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/28e1fcf6d898-japan-rules-out-defense-deal-in-return-for-us-tariff-easing.html

Japan defense equipment outlays may ease US trade gap: tariff chief
Mainichi 20250529
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250529/p2g/00m/0na/033000c

US will not tolerate Chinese 'exploitation' of universities, theft of research, says State Dept
Reuters 20250529
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-will-not-tolerate-chinese-exploitation-universities-theft-research-says-state-2025-05-29/

Denying Visas to Chinese Students Will Backfire on America
NYTimes 20250530
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/business/china-student-visas-trump.html

China agrees to begin steps to resume Japanese seafood imports: Tokyo
Kyodo 20250530
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/267eb10b4cf5-update1-china-agrees-to-begin-steps-to-resume-japanese-seafood-imports-tokyo.html

China, Japan make substantive progress in talks on Japanese aquatic products: GAC
GT 20250530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335153.shtml

Bessent Says US-China Talks ‘Stalled,’ Pushes for Trump-Xi Call
Bloomberg 20250529
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-29/bessent-says-a-trump-xi-call-could-help-as-talks-a-bit-stalled

Trump signals fresh trade tensions with China, accusing Beijing of violating a deal
ABC (AU) 20250531
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-31/trump-signals-fresh-trade-tensions-with-china/105360844

Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Truce, Escalating Tensions
NYTimes 20250530
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/us/politics/trump-china-trade.html

Trump says China has ‘totally violated’ trade deal with US
SCMP 20250530
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3312523/trump-says-china-has-totally-violated-trade-deal-us

ASEAN: Trump’s Tariff Measures Invite Trade Reorganization
Yomiuri 20250530
https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/yomiuri-editorial/20250530-257284/

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

Pentagon ends new radar effort meant for Guam missile defense
Defense News 20250429
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/05/29/pentagon-ends-new-radar-effort-meant-for-guam-missile-defense/

Navy Secretary "Appalled" by Barracks Conditions in Guam
POGO 20250529
https://www.pogo.org/investigations/navy-secretary-appalled-by-barracks-conditions-in-guam

Mold, corrosion at Guam barracks spark worldwide Navy housing inspections
S&S 20250529
https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2025-05-29/navy-secretary-housing-conditions-17945841.html

Report: Navy secretary 'appalled' by Andersen barracks; base says 'no health or safety concerns'
PDN 20250530
https://www.guampdn.com/news/report-navy-secretary-appalled-by-andersen-barracks-base-says-no-health-or-safety-concerns/article_bf6d15ce-76ac-42cf-83e4-a3f68c39cdb8.html

Palau Red Cross appeals for Congressional support after loss of U.S. Aid funds
Island Times 20250530
https://islandtimes.org/palau-red-cross-appeals-for-congressional-support-after-loss-of-u-s-aid-funds/

'It's going to be great:' New Joint Region Marianas chief assumes post amid logistical hurdles on Guam
PIT 20250530
https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/new-joint-region-marianas-commander-assumes-post

Navy transfers Joint Region Marianas command amid regional defense buildup
GDP 20250530
https://www.postguam.com/news/local/navy-transfers-joint-region-marianas-command-amid-regional-defense-buildup/article_665fbc27-fbd7-4856-b103-2a96f902211f.html

Island Waves

Pacific ministers wrap up high level Chinese meeting
ABC (AU) 20250530
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/pacchinatalks/105356516

Representatives from Pacific Island countries observe China's maritime emergency drill
CGTN 20250530
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-05-30/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDg0Njc2/index.html

Vanuatu Strengthens China Ties at Regional Meeting
Daily Post (VU) 20250530
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/vanuatu-strengthens-china-ties-at-regional-meeting/article_20f48e2d-715f-5038-884e-c3d2cd0706b4.html

Fiji backs regional unity at China talks
FBCN 20250530
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fiji-backs-regional-unity-at-china-talks/

JICA shares waste strategies with Vanuatu and Pacific neighbours
Daily Post (VU) 20250530
https://www.dailypost.vu/news/jica-shares-waste-strategies-with-vanuatu-and-pacific-neighbours/article_77bce6fc-1b30-53aa-acac-5aa38e592122.html

Minister Wasi and Australia Discuss Strengthening Agricultural Collaboration
SIBC 20250530
https://www.sibconline.com.sb/minister-wasi-and-australia-discuss-strengthening-agricultural-collaboration/

Fiu bridge reopens after emergency repair works
Solomon Star 20250530
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/fiu-bridge-reopens-after-emergency-repair-works/

Japan power experts conclude visit
Samoa Observer 20250530
https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/114528

French politicians in New Caledonia this week
RNZ 20250530
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/562648/french-politicians-in-new-caledonia-this-week

U.S. Embassay & PNGNRL Empowering Youth Through Rugby
PNG Haus Bung 20250530
https://pnghausbung.com/u-s-embassy-pngnrl-empowering-youth-through-rugby/

Pacific Islanders are fighting to protect the ocean. Now the world must, too
Reuters 20250529
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/pacific-islanders-are-fighting-protect-ocean-now-world-must-too-2025-05-29/

Taiwan + SCS

Exclusive: Trump aims to exceed first term's weapons sales to Taiwan, officials say
Reuters 20250530
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/trump-aims-exceed-first-terms-weapons-sales-taiwan-officials-say-2025-05-30/

Taiwan should obtain US precision weapons: expert
Taipei Times 20250531
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2025/05/31/2003837811

China firmly opposes US arms sales to Taiwan island, says Chinese FM in response to reports US aims to sell weapons to Taiwan to level exceeding Trump's first term
GT 20250530
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335163.shtml

Taiwan, Late To The Drone Boat Game, To Hold Major Capability Test
TWZ 20250529
https://www.twz.com/news-features/taiwan-late-to-the-drone-boat-game-to-hold-major-capability-test

Survey finds 79% dispute notion Taiwan will inevitably be ruled by China
Taiwan News 20250530
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6123586

Taiwan tracks 16 Chinese military aircraft, 9 ships
Taiwan News 20250530
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6123315

Capabilities

US General warns America's military capabilities will be 'challenged' if a war breaks out, in stark warning to Anthony Albanese after he dismissed ASPI report
Sky (AU) 20250529
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/defence-and-foreign-affairs/us-general-warns-americas-military-capabilities-will-be-challenged-if-a-war-breaks-out-in-stark-warning-to-anthony-albanese-after-he-dismissed-aspi-report/news-story/71ee670e6c3d76718ec196006e1d4d1a

America Let Its Military-Industrial Might Wither. China’s Is Booming.
WSJ 20250529
https://www.wsj.com/world/america-let-its-military-industrial-might-wither-chinas-is-booming-7325f34b

Allies are more than customers of America’s defense industrial base. They can help rebuild it.
Breaking Defense 20250530
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/allies-are-more-than-customers-of-americas-defense-industrial-base-they-can-help-rebuild-it/

The Cost of Defence shows Australia risks falling behind its peers
ASPI 20250530
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-cost-of-defence-shows-australia-risks-falling-behind-its-peers/

Pacific Marines Strategy 2025
USNI 20250530
https://news.usni.org/2025/05/30/pacific-marines-strategy-2025

Power

Trump’s Vision: One World, Three Powers?
NYTimes 20250529
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/26/us/politics/trump-russia-china.html