Pacific Winds 20250709

A daily collection of news affecting the Asia-Pacific region

Alliances

In global survey, US cited more often than China as greatest ally and threat
SCMP 20250708
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3317453/global-survey-us-cited-more-often-china-greatest-ally-and-threat

Trump says S. Korea should pay for its own defense
Yonhap 20250709
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250709000300315

Lee's top adviser tells Rubio to hold S. Korea-U.S. summit at early date
Yonhap 20250708
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250708001651315

Japan, South Korea: how far from ‘de-Americanization’?
GT 20250708
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337910.shtml

North Korea’s Second Chance?
FA 20250708
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/north-korea/north-koreas-second-chance

Australian PM to visit China; interaction important amid global uncertainties: expert
GT 20250708
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337913.shtml

China’s new nationalistic diplomacy wins over Southeast Asia
EAF 20250708
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/08/chinas-new-nationalistic-diplomacy-wins-over-southeast-asia/

Anticipating Allies’ Responses to U.S. Retrenchment
RAND 20250708
https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RRA700/RRA739-8/RAND_RRA739-8.pdf

Global Swing States and the New Great Power Competition
CNAS 20250707
https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/global-swing-states-and-the-new-great-power-competition

Will US tariff pressure on Japan and South Korea push them closer to China?
SCMP 20250708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3317440/will-us-tariff-pressure-japan-and-south-korea-push-them-closer-china

Trump says 25% tariffs to be slapped on Japan, South Korea on Aug. 1
Kyodo 20250708
https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/56875

Japan stands its ground after Trump letter delivers 25% U.S. tariff shock
Japan Times 20250708
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/07/08/economy/japan-stands-ground-us-tariff/

Ishiba vows to continue talks despite Trump's reciprocal tariff
Asahi 20250708
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15892212

Tariff deadline extends as Trump’s trade talks falter
EAF 20250708
https://eastasiaforum.org/2025/07/08/tariff-deadline-extends-as-trumps-trade-talks-falter/

BRICS tariff to be applied only if they adopt policies deemed 'anti-American', source says
Reuters 20250707
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/brics-tariff-be-applied-only-if-they-adopt-policies-deemed-anti-american-source-2025-07-07/

China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals
Reuters 20250708
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-warns-trump-tariffs-threatens-retaliation-supply-chain-deals-2025-07-08/

On Trade, Trump Is Ceding the Pacific to China
National Review 20250708
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/on-trade-trump-is-ceding-the-pacific-to-china/

Experts remain cautious on Bessent’s remarks on possible tariff discussions with China
GT 20250708
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337864.shtml

AUSFTA at 20: The past, present and future of the US–Australia trade and investment relationship
USSC 20250708
https://www.ussc.edu.au/ausfta-at-20-the-past-present-and-future-of-the-us-australia-trade-and-investment-relationship

US new tariff threats raise concerns, dim global economic outlook
GT20250708
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337908.shtml

Micronesia-Marianas (2^nd Island Chain+)

USAID Cuts Could Transform U.S. Ties to Pacific Islands
FP 20250708
https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/07/08/usaid-pacific-islands-trump-marshall-micronesia-palau-cofa/

The escalating risk environment requires more than empty words
GDP 20250708
https://www.postguam.com/forum/featured_columnists/the-escalating-risk-environment-requires-more-than-empty-words/article_1a6aa4d0-d304-44f1-8a9a-a3cbac25eba4.html

YouTuber pleads guilty to flying drone over Camp Blaz, posting footage online
PDN 20250708
https://www.guampdn.com/news/youtuber-pleads-guilty-to-flying-drone-over-camp-blaz-posting-footage-online/article_389e1df3-71c2-4d17-8c6c-edf1e9803c21.html

USCGC Oliver Henry crew completes successful patrol, strengthens maritime security while deepening partnerships
USCG FM/GS 20250708
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/542155/uscgc-oliver-henry-crew-completes-successful-patrol-strengthens-maritime-security-while-deepening-partnerships

Nauruan President traces ancestral root in China's Guangdong, eyeing closer bonds
Guandong News 20250708
https://www.newsgd.com/node_d36b0ef83f/5a6714bfa9.shtml

Palauan Embassy urges citizens in U.S. to keep valid passport and I-94 documents accessible amid increased ICE activity
Island Times 20250708
https://islandtimes.org/palauan-embassy-urges-citizens-in-u-s-to-keep-valid-passport-and-i-94-documents-accessible-amid-increased-ice-activity/

Keeping the Sea Clean: Japanese Efforts to Recover Oil from Wartime Wreck in Chuuk, Micronesia
Nippon 20250709
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g02528/

Island Waves

Australian police to be embedded in Fiji's Police Force under new measures
ABC (AU) 20250708
https://www.abc.net.au/pacific/programs/pacificbeat/australian-police-to-be-embedded-in-fiji-s-police-force/105488468

“Keep China in your sights” international journos told
Solomon Star 20250708
https://www.solomonstarnews.com/keep-china-in-your-sights-international-journos-told/

UN, JICA Support Border RisK Preparedness in PNG
Post Courier (PNG) 20250608
https://www.postcourier.com.pg/un-jica-support-border-risk-preparedness-in-png/

Taiwan + SCS

How Russia Could Complicate U.S. Efforts To Defend Taiwan
TWZ 20250707
https://www.twz.com/news-features/how-russia-could-complicate-u-s-efforts-to-defend-taiwan

Han Kuang exercise of Taiwan region is nothing but bluff and self-deceiving trick of DPP authorities: MND spokesperson
GT 20250708
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337880.shtml

Alarms ring in Taipei as Beijing activates another Taiwan Strait flight route
SCMP 20250708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3317268/alarms-ring-taipei-beijing-activates-another-taiwan-strait-flight-route

China in the Taiwan Strait: May 2025
CFR 20250708
https://www.cfr.org/article/china-taiwan-strait-may-2025

Taiwan on edge as Trump’s tariff deadline passes: ‘out of bargaining chips’
SCMP 20250708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3317425/taiwan-edge-trumps-tariff-deadline-passes-out-bargaining-chips

Taiwan tracks 4 Chinese naval vessels around country
Taiwan News 20250708
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/6150992

49 Chinese ships seen in 3 WPS features in June
PNA 20250708
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1253789

Capabilities

F-35 drills in Philippines signal US ramp-up in combat readiness in Asia-Pacific
SCMP 20250708
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317354/f-35-drills-philippines-signal-us-ramp-combat-readiness-asia-pacific

JADC2 gets its first C2 gateway authorized to update itself
Breaking Defense 20250707
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/jadc2-gets-its-first-c2-gateway-authorized-to-update-itself/

South Korea Canceling AH-64 Apache Order A Sign Of What’s To Come
TWZ 202500707
https://www.twz.com/air/south-korea-canceling-ah-64-apache-buy-a-sign-of-whats-to-come

The Future of Army Air and Missile Defense
MDAA 20250708 (transcript)
https://missiledefenseadvocacy.org/alert/the-future-of-army-air-and-missile-defense-highlights-and-transcript/

China’s ‘telepathy’ radio could make combat units invisible for electronic warfare edge
SCMP 20250708
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3317392/chinas-telepathy-radio-could-make-combat-units-invisible-electronic-warfare-edge

China is making rapid space tech gains. Here’s how the military could use them
SCMP 20250707
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3317258/china-making-rapid-gains-space-tech-heres-how-military-could-use-it

China is practicing orbital warfare to win in space
Space News 20250708
https://spacenews.com/china-is-practing-orbital-warfare-to-win-in-space/

How to fill a 155 mm hole in Australian defence industry
ASPI 20250708
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/how-to-fill-a-155-mm-hole-in-australian-defence-industry/

Think about defence spending like this: when risks rise, so do insurance premiums
ASPI 20250708
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/think-about-defence-spending-like-this-when-risks-rise-so-do-insurance-premiums/

From fighters jets to space systems: Military sends lawmakers over $20B-worth of unfunded priorities
Breaking Defense 20250708
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/from-fighters-jets-to-space-systems-military-sends-lawmakers-over-20b-worth-of-unfunded-priorities/

A look at the wish lists for CENTCOM, NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, INDOPACOM and STRATCOM
Breaking Defense 20250708
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/a-look-at-the-wish-lists-for-centcom-northcom-southcom-indopacom-and-stratcom/

Air Force, Space Force seek $16B extra for FY26 ‘unfunded priorities’
Breaking Defense 20250708
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/07/air-force-space-force-seek-16b-extra-for-fy26-unfunded-priorities/

Hanwha Ocean wins U.S. Navy ship maintenance deal
Yonhap 20250708
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250708009900320

Air Force review spotlights risks in space agency’s go-fast approach
Air Force Times 20250708
https://www.airforcetimes.com/space/2025/07/08/air-force-review-spotlights-risks-in-space-agencys-go-fast-approach/

Space Force unveils first international strategy, while GAO flags barriers to space cooperation
Space News 20250708
https://spacenews.com/space-force-unveils-first-international-strategy-while-gao-flags-barriers-to-space-cooperation/

Space Operations:DOD Is Pursuing Efforts to Collaborate with Allies and Partners but Needs to Address Key Challenges
GAO 20250708
https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-25-108043.pdf

Navy Cancels Nuclear Submarine Torpedo Tube-Launched And Recovered Underwater Drone
TWZ 20250708
https://www.twz.com/sea/navy-cancels-nuclear-submarine-torpedo-tube-launched-and-recovered-underwater-drone

Army aims to quadruple Patriot missile procurement
Defense One 20250708
https://www.defenseone.com/threats/2025/07/army-aims-quadruple-patriot-missile-procurement/406577/

Mysterious Guided Rocket Launcher Disguised In A Shipping Container At Fort Bragg Identified
Defense News 20250708
https://www.twz.com/land/mysterious-guided-rocket-launcher-disguised-in-a-shipping-container-at-fort-bragg-identified

Exercises

Air Force, Space Force Kick Off Major Pacific Exercises
Air & Space 20250708
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-space-force-summer-pacific-exercises-series/

REFORPAC 2025: High-powered international team ready to conduct Air Force’s largest Pacific contingency-response exercise
USAF PacAF
https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4209076/reforpac-2025-high-powered-international-team-ready-to-conduct-air-forces-large/

DAF kicks off department-level exercise series in Pacific
USAF 20250708
https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4236472/daf-kicks-off-department-level-exercise-series-in-pacific/