🇯🇵 Ruling bloc on course to secure majority in Japan lower house race
Japan's ruling camp, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, is on course to secure a majority in the House of Representatives in the Feb. 8 general election, a Kyodo News survey showed.
The newly formed main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance is struggling to increase its seats, while some emerging parties, including the populist Sanseito party, known for its "Japanese First" slogan, appear poised to gain ground.
The survey showed the coalition of the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party is expected to win 233 or more of the 465 seats up for grabs. Before the lower house's dissolution, the bloc held a razor-thin majority, helped by some independent members.
Such an outcome would see Takaichi, who took office in October, claim a mandate for her "responsible yet aggressive" fiscal stance and other policy priorities under the new conservative ruling bloc formed the same month.
#Japan
@asianomics
Japan's ruling camp, led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party, is on course to secure a majority in the House of Representatives in the Feb. 8 general election, a Kyodo News survey showed.
The newly formed main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance is struggling to increase its seats, while some emerging parties, including the populist Sanseito party, known for its "Japanese First" slogan, appear poised to gain ground.
The survey showed the coalition of the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party is expected to win 233 or more of the 465 seats up for grabs. Before the lower house's dissolution, the bloc held a razor-thin majority, helped by some independent members.
Such an outcome would see Takaichi, who took office in October, claim a mandate for her "responsible yet aggressive" fiscal stance and other policy priorities under the new conservative ruling bloc formed the same month.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇷🇺🇨🇳 Shoigu says Russia supports China's position on Taiwan
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow continues to support Beijing over Taiwan.
"We see that China's ill‑wishers continue to destabilize the situation in the Taiwan Strait. For our part, I want to reaffirm our consistent and unwavering support for Beijing on the Taiwan issue," Shoigu said.
China's top diplomat called on both countries to maintain close communication on major issues related to bilateral relations, and increase mutual support for each other's core interests.
#Russia #China
@asianomics
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow continues to support Beijing over Taiwan.
"We see that China's ill‑wishers continue to destabilize the situation in the Taiwan Strait. For our part, I want to reaffirm our consistent and unwavering support for Beijing on the Taiwan issue," Shoigu said.
China's top diplomat called on both countries to maintain close communication on major issues related to bilateral relations, and increase mutual support for each other's core interests.
#Russia #China
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇵🇭 China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed South China Sea shoal
China conducted naval and air patrols around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday, the China Southern Theater Command said.
China has stepped up combat readiness patrols in the area in January, "resolutely countering the infringement provocations of individual countries within the region," the post said.
The militaries of the Philippines and the United States carried out joint exercises in the Scarborough Shoal area earlier this week, in the 11th such drill since November 2023, Manila's armed forces said.
#China #ThePhilippines
@asianomics
China conducted naval and air patrols around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday, the China Southern Theater Command said.
China has stepped up combat readiness patrols in the area in January, "resolutely countering the infringement provocations of individual countries within the region," the post said.
The militaries of the Philippines and the United States carried out joint exercises in the Scarborough Shoal area earlier this week, in the 11th such drill since November 2023, Manila's armed forces said.
#China #ThePhilippines
@asianomics
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🇵🇭 Impeachment complaints filed against Philippine V-P Sara Duterte
Philippine civil society leaders and members of a left-wing coalition filed impeachment complaints against Vice-President Sara Duterte on Feb 2, restarting a process that was sidelined by the country’s Supreme Court in 2025.
Both cases accuse Duterte of misusing public funds during her term as education secretary, while one revives allegations that she threatened to assassinate former ally President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The filings come on the same day that a committee in the House of Representatives was to begin hearings into impeachment complaints against Marcos, who is accused of corruption tied to a spiraling scandal over bogus flood control projects.
#ThePhilippines
@asianomics
Philippine civil society leaders and members of a left-wing coalition filed impeachment complaints against Vice-President Sara Duterte on Feb 2, restarting a process that was sidelined by the country’s Supreme Court in 2025.
Both cases accuse Duterte of misusing public funds during her term as education secretary, while one revives allegations that she threatened to assassinate former ally President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The filings come on the same day that a committee in the House of Representatives was to begin hearings into impeachment complaints against Marcos, who is accused of corruption tied to a spiraling scandal over bogus flood control projects.
#ThePhilippines
@asianomics
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🇲🇾 Malaysia’s Anwar brushes off Epstein speculation
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sought to douse public speculation after his name appeared in a newly released email exchange involving Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted US sex offender whose web of connections to the rich and powerful remains a source of scandal years after his death.
Anwar was among several world figures – including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, billionaire Bill Gates and Britain’s disgraced former prince Andrew – mentioned in a tranche of Epstein-related material released by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
Jeffrey Epstein suggested in 2012 that if Anwar Ibrahim were to become Malaysian prime minister, Anwar would “clean up” and JP Morgan Chase, the US banking giant, could profit. Epstein said he had “always stayed close” to Anwar, which the Malaysian premier immediately denied.
It’s uncertain how much damage the revelation will do. The Epstein reference is more than a decade old and there is no evidence JP Morgan has had any outsize dealings with the Malaysian government.
#Malaysia
@asianomics
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sought to douse public speculation after his name appeared in a newly released email exchange involving Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted US sex offender whose web of connections to the rich and powerful remains a source of scandal years after his death.
Anwar was among several world figures – including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, billionaire Bill Gates and Britain’s disgraced former prince Andrew – mentioned in a tranche of Epstein-related material released by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
Jeffrey Epstein suggested in 2012 that if Anwar Ibrahim were to become Malaysian prime minister, Anwar would “clean up” and JP Morgan Chase, the US banking giant, could profit. Epstein said he had “always stayed close” to Anwar, which the Malaysian premier immediately denied.
It’s uncertain how much damage the revelation will do. The Epstein reference is more than a decade old and there is no evidence JP Morgan has had any outsize dealings with the Malaysian government.
#Malaysia
@asianomics
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🇻🇳🇺🇸 An internal document shows the Vietnamese military preparing for a possible American war
A year after Vietnam elevated its relations with Washington to the highest diplomatic level, an internal document shows its military was taking steps to prepare for a possible American “war of aggression" and considered the United States a “belligerent” power.
The original Vietnamese document noscriptd “The 2nd U.S. Invasion Plan” was completed by the Ministry of Defense in August 2024. It suggests that in seeking “its objective of strengthening deterrence against China, the US and its allies are ready to apply unconventional forms of warfare and military intervention and even conduct large-scale invasions against countries and territories that ‘deviate from its orbit.’”
While noting that “currently there is little risk of a war against Vietnam,” the Vietnamese planners write that “due to the U.S.'s belligerent nature we need to be vigilant to prevent the U.S. and its allies from ‘creating a pretext’ to launch an invasion of our country.”
#Vietnam #USA
@asianomics
A year after Vietnam elevated its relations with Washington to the highest diplomatic level, an internal document shows its military was taking steps to prepare for a possible American “war of aggression" and considered the United States a “belligerent” power.
The original Vietnamese document noscriptd “The 2nd U.S. Invasion Plan” was completed by the Ministry of Defense in August 2024. It suggests that in seeking “its objective of strengthening deterrence against China, the US and its allies are ready to apply unconventional forms of warfare and military intervention and even conduct large-scale invasions against countries and territories that ‘deviate from its orbit.’”
While noting that “currently there is little risk of a war against Vietnam,” the Vietnamese planners write that “due to the U.S.'s belligerent nature we need to be vigilant to prevent the U.S. and its allies from ‘creating a pretext’ to launch an invasion of our country.”
#Vietnam #USA
@asianomics
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🇯🇵 Japan's ruling LDP set to win majority in lower house contest
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on track to secure a majority in the House of Representatives election on Sunday, winning 233 or more of the 465 seats up for grabs, according to the latest Kyodo News survey.
The new main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance will likely perform poorly, while the LDP's junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, and another major opposition Democratic Party for the People appear to be struggling and could lose some of their seats
With Takaichi's Cabinet enjoying high support ratings since she took office in October, the LDP has the upper hand in around 180 of the 289 single-member constituencies, compared with 138 that it occupied before official campaigning began last week.
#Japan
@asianomics
Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on track to secure a majority in the House of Representatives election on Sunday, winning 233 or more of the 465 seats up for grabs, according to the latest Kyodo News survey.
The new main opposition Centrist Reform Alliance will likely perform poorly, while the LDP's junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, and another major opposition Democratic Party for the People appear to be struggling and could lose some of their seats
With Takaichi's Cabinet enjoying high support ratings since she took office in October, the LDP has the upper hand in around 180 of the 289 single-member constituencies, compared with 138 that it occupied before official campaigning began last week.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇦🇺🇨🇳 Why China ties make Darwin Port a bigger test for Australia than Panama
Any decision by Australia to regain control of Darwin Port is likely to differ from Panama’s move to nullify a contract on its geostrategically vital canal, as fears of Chinese retaliation and a limited security consensus limit Canberra’s options, analysts said – though they warned the issue could still reopen strains in the bilateral relationship.
Panama’s Supreme Court ruled on Friday against a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, ending its rights to operate two ports on the Panama Canal. Like Darwin Port in Australia – which was leased in 2015 for 99 years to China’s Landbridge Group at US$354 million – the case was interpreted through a national security lens.
During last year’s successful re-election campaign, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Labor Party pledged to regain ownership of the port.
Analysts said the Australian judicial system differed from that in Panama, however, while warning that the Albanese government's handling of the issue could reshape the recently stabilized relationship between Canberra and Beijing.
#Australia #China
@asianomics
Any decision by Australia to regain control of Darwin Port is likely to differ from Panama’s move to nullify a contract on its geostrategically vital canal, as fears of Chinese retaliation and a limited security consensus limit Canberra’s options, analysts said – though they warned the issue could still reopen strains in the bilateral relationship.
Panama’s Supreme Court ruled on Friday against a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, ending its rights to operate two ports on the Panama Canal. Like Darwin Port in Australia – which was leased in 2015 for 99 years to China’s Landbridge Group at US$354 million – the case was interpreted through a national security lens.
During last year’s successful re-election campaign, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Labor Party pledged to regain ownership of the port.
Analysts said the Australian judicial system differed from that in Panama, however, while warning that the Albanese government's handling of the issue could reshape the recently stabilized relationship between Canberra and Beijing.
#Australia #China
@asianomics
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🇯🇵 Japan set to revive WWII military noscripts in controversial shift
Japan’s government plans to revive the military ranks used by its armed forces before and during World War II, in a symbolic gesture to please conservatives that analysts warn could stoke regional tensions.
The plan, first floated in November after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had struck a coalition deal with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), appeared to have been pushed by senior JIP members.
The LDP has reportedly agreed to the change on the grounds that it will align with “international standards”, paving the way for legal revisions in the months ahead. If enacted, Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) would reintroduce the ranks last used by the imperial Japanese military in the 1930s and 1940s.
#Japan
@asianomics
Japan’s government plans to revive the military ranks used by its armed forces before and during World War II, in a symbolic gesture to please conservatives that analysts warn could stoke regional tensions.
The plan, first floated in November after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had struck a coalition deal with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), appeared to have been pushed by senior JIP members.
The LDP has reportedly agreed to the change on the grounds that it will align with “international standards”, paving the way for legal revisions in the months ahead. If enacted, Japan’s Self-Defence Forces (SDF) would reintroduce the ranks last used by the imperial Japanese military in the 1930s and 1940s.
#Japan
@asianomics
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🇺🇸🇨🇳 Nvidia AI chip sales to China stalled by US security review
Nvidia's H200 AI chip sales to China remain in limbo nearly two months after US President Donald Trump approved exports, pending a US national security review, the Financial Times reported.
Chinese customers are, meanwhile, not placing H200 chip orders with Nvidia until it becomes clear whether they will be able to secure the licenses or what conditions will be attached.
In January, the Commerce Department eased export curbs on the H200 for China, but required license applications to be reviewed by the US departments of State, Defense and Energy. The Commerce Department has completed its analysis but the State Department was pushing for tougher restrictions to make it harder for China to use the H200 chips in ways that would undermine U.S. national security.
#USA #China
@asianomics
Nvidia's H200 AI chip sales to China remain in limbo nearly two months after US President Donald Trump approved exports, pending a US national security review, the Financial Times reported.
Chinese customers are, meanwhile, not placing H200 chip orders with Nvidia until it becomes clear whether they will be able to secure the licenses or what conditions will be attached.
In January, the Commerce Department eased export curbs on the H200 for China, but required license applications to be reviewed by the US departments of State, Defense and Energy. The Commerce Department has completed its analysis but the State Department was pushing for tougher restrictions to make it harder for China to use the H200 chips in ways that would undermine U.S. national security.
#USA #China
@asianomics
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🇵🇭 Philippine lawmakers weigh impeachment for President Marcos
Philippine lawmakers met on Tuesday to decide whether to advance impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is accused of betraying the public's trust, corruption and violating the constitution.
Marcos, who is midway through his six-year term and denies wrongdoing, faces two separate complaints filed by a lawyer and activists, which hurdled an initial step at the House justice committee on Monday when lawmakers said both were "sufficient in form".
The committee reconvened on Tuesday to determine whether there was "substance" to move the complaints forward. The committee's decision, regardless of which way it goes, would be put to a vote of the lower house of Congress, which is dominated by allies of the president.
#ThePhilippines
@asianomics
Philippine lawmakers met on Tuesday to decide whether to advance impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is accused of betraying the public's trust, corruption and violating the constitution.
Marcos, who is midway through his six-year term and denies wrongdoing, faces two separate complaints filed by a lawyer and activists, which hurdled an initial step at the House justice committee on Monday when lawmakers said both were "sufficient in form".
The committee reconvened on Tuesday to determine whether there was "substance" to move the complaints forward. The committee's decision, regardless of which way it goes, would be put to a vote of the lower house of Congress, which is dominated by allies of the president.
#ThePhilippines
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇰🇷🇰🇵 China to play constructive role 'in our way' on N. Korea: top envoy
China will continue to play a constructive role "in our way" for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Beijing's top envoy has said, hoping that the parties involved will take "effective" steps to help resolve the security issues lying at the core of the stalemate.
Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, as Seoul is pushing to restore inter-Korean ties and help revive the stalled talks between the North and the United States. Pyongyang has so far rejected the olive branch.
Seoul has repeatedly called for Beijing -- North Korea's traditional ally and key economic benefactor -- to play an active role in helping bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table. Following recent talks with Xi, South Korean president said that he had requested Xi to act as a mediator on North Korea issues and that Xi advised him to "have patience."
#China #SouthKorea #NorthKorea
@asianomics
China will continue to play a constructive role "in our way" for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Beijing's top envoy has said, hoping that the parties involved will take "effective" steps to help resolve the security issues lying at the core of the stalemate.
Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency, as Seoul is pushing to restore inter-Korean ties and help revive the stalled talks between the North and the United States. Pyongyang has so far rejected the olive branch.
Seoul has repeatedly called for Beijing -- North Korea's traditional ally and key economic benefactor -- to play an active role in helping bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table. Following recent talks with Xi, South Korean president said that he had requested Xi to act as a mediator on North Korea issues and that Xi advised him to "have patience."
#China #SouthKorea #NorthKorea
@asianomics
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🇨🇳🇺🇸 US must be prudent when supplying arms to Taiwan, Xi tells Trump
China's leader Xi Jinping called Taiwan "the most important issue" in China-US relations during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Xi had told Trump to be "prudent" when supplying weapons to the island, state media reported, adding that he "attaches great importance" to ties with Washington and hoped both sides will find ways to resolve their differences.
Trump himself is due to visit China in April, a trip he says he "very much looks forward to". He added that Beijing is considering buying 20 million tonnes of US soybeans, up from the current 12 million tonnes.
#China #USA
@asianomics
China's leader Xi Jinping called Taiwan "the most important issue" in China-US relations during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Xi had told Trump to be "prudent" when supplying weapons to the island, state media reported, adding that he "attaches great importance" to ties with Washington and hoped both sides will find ways to resolve their differences.
Trump himself is due to visit China in April, a trip he says he "very much looks forward to". He added that Beijing is considering buying 20 million tonnes of US soybeans, up from the current 12 million tonnes.
#China #USA
@asianomics
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🇹🇼🇨🇳🇺🇸 Relations with US 'rock solid,' Taiwan president says after Trump-Xi call
Relations between Taiwan and the US are "rock-solid" and cooperation programs will continue and not change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday after Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the island with President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters in central Taiwan, Lai said Taiwan and the US have strong channels of communication.
"Taiwan–US relations are rock-solid; all cooperation programs will continue and will not change," Lai said, adding that the US commitments to Taiwan also remain unchanged.
#Taiwan #China #USA
@asianomics
Relations between Taiwan and the US are "rock-solid" and cooperation programs will continue and not change, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday after Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the island with President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters in central Taiwan, Lai said Taiwan and the US have strong channels of communication.
"Taiwan–US relations are rock-solid; all cooperation programs will continue and will not change," Lai said, adding that the US commitments to Taiwan also remain unchanged.
#Taiwan #China #USA
@asianomics
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🇻🇳🇺🇸 Vietnam willing to boost US purchases, trade minister says
Vietnam is willing to increase purchases of US goods, especially machinery and high‑tech products, its trade minister said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation began a sixth round of tariff negotiations in Washington this week.
Trade Minister Le Manh Hung met with several US companies in the energy and technology sectors, including executives from Apple, Exxon Mobil, GE, AES and Excelerate Energy, according to a statement from the ministry.
The White House in October said the United States and Vietnam would finalize a trade agreement that will keep tariffs on most Vietnamese goods at 20% but remove duties on certain products.
#Vietnam #USA
@asianomics
Vietnam is willing to increase purchases of US goods, especially machinery and high‑tech products, its trade minister said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation began a sixth round of tariff negotiations in Washington this week.
Trade Minister Le Manh Hung met with several US companies in the energy and technology sectors, including executives from Apple, Exxon Mobil, GE, AES and Excelerate Energy, according to a statement from the ministry.
The White House in October said the United States and Vietnam would finalize a trade agreement that will keep tariffs on most Vietnamese goods at 20% but remove duties on certain products.
#Vietnam #USA
@asianomics
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🇰🇷🇺🇸 Defense ministry proposes joint, partial management of DMZ to US
The defense ministry has proposed to the United States that South Korea's military jointly manage parts of the southern half of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.
The proposal came as the South Korean government aims to secure control of civilian access to the 248-kilometer-long, 4-km-wide stretch of the DMZ. Currently, the US-led UN Command (UNC) administers the military buffer zone as the south-side enforcer of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.
Amid the UNC's outright objection to Seoul's move, the defense ministry proposed a measure under which South Korea's military oversees entry to parts of areas located south of the barbed-wire fence within the DMZ.
In addition to making the request to the UNC, the ministry also seeks to include the issue as an agenda item in bilateral defense talks, such as the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue and the Security Consultative Meeting.
#SouthKorea #USA
@asianomics
The defense ministry has proposed to the United States that South Korea's military jointly manage parts of the southern half of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas.
The proposal came as the South Korean government aims to secure control of civilian access to the 248-kilometer-long, 4-km-wide stretch of the DMZ. Currently, the US-led UN Command (UNC) administers the military buffer zone as the south-side enforcer of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War.
Amid the UNC's outright objection to Seoul's move, the defense ministry proposed a measure under which South Korea's military oversees entry to parts of areas located south of the barbed-wire fence within the DMZ.
In addition to making the request to the UNC, the ministry also seeks to include the issue as an agenda item in bilateral defense talks, such as the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue and the Security Consultative Meeting.
#SouthKorea #USA
@asianomics
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🇻🇳🇺🇸🇨🇳 Vietnam's trade surplus with US surges in January as imports from China hit new high
Vietnam's trade surplus with the United States grew in January by nearly 30% year on year as exports climbed, while imports from China hit a new monthly high.
The surplus with Washington was $12 billion in January, nearly 30% higher than a year earlier, and only slightly lower than the $12.3 billion in December.
Imports from China reached a monthly record, climbing to $19 billion from $18.7 billion in December and $12 billion in January 2025.
Hanoi has been in talks for months with Washington over a possible trade agreement after the Trump administration imposed 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods in August and threatened higher duties on goods made mostly from components that Vietnam imports from China.
#Vietnam #USA #China
@asianomics
Vietnam's trade surplus with the United States grew in January by nearly 30% year on year as exports climbed, while imports from China hit a new monthly high.
The surplus with Washington was $12 billion in January, nearly 30% higher than a year earlier, and only slightly lower than the $12.3 billion in December.
Imports from China reached a monthly record, climbing to $19 billion from $18.7 billion in December and $12 billion in January 2025.
Hanoi has been in talks for months with Washington over a possible trade agreement after the Trump administration imposed 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods in August and threatened higher duties on goods made mostly from components that Vietnam imports from China.
#Vietnam #USA #China
@asianomics
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🇹🇼🇨🇳 Taiwan risks becoming numb to China drills, but threat is urgent, defense minister says
Taiwanese people are at risk of becoming "numb" to China's daily military and other pressure tactics to wear down the island, but the threat is real and greater readiness is needed, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said.
Koo said over the past year, China has used military pressure, cyberattacks and psychological warfare against Taiwan through more "complex and precise actions."
The number of detected Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and drones, rose 23% in 2025 from a year earlier, as China tries to push the narrative that the Taiwan Strait is an "internal" Chinese waterway, he added.
#Taiwan #China
@asianomics
Taiwanese people are at risk of becoming "numb" to China's daily military and other pressure tactics to wear down the island, but the threat is real and greater readiness is needed, Defense Minister Wellington Koo said.
Koo said over the past year, China has used military pressure, cyberattacks and psychological warfare against Taiwan through more "complex and precise actions."
The number of detected Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and drones, rose 23% in 2025 from a year earlier, as China tries to push the narrative that the Taiwan Strait is an "internal" Chinese waterway, he added.
#Taiwan #China
@asianomics
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🇦🇺🇮🇩 Australia and Indonesia sign security pact
Australia and Indonesia’s leaders signed a security deal on Friday, one of a series of agreements that Canberra has secured with neighboring countries to reinforce ties and limit China’s influence in the region.
At a signing ceremony, President Prabowo Subianto met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said before he travelled to Jakarta that the pact was a “watershed moment” in ties. It “represents a major extension of our security and defense cooperation and demonstrates that our relationship is as strong as it has ever been”, Albanese said.
The agreement aims to increase the security partnership between the two countries "to a new level", for mutual security and regional security.
The text will be modelled on the 1995 Australia-Indonesia agreement to avoid a binding mutual defense obligation like the one currently held with Papua New Guinea. This structure ensures the pact remains a consultation process rather than a strict military requirement.
#Australia #Indonesia
@asianomics
Australia and Indonesia’s leaders signed a security deal on Friday, one of a series of agreements that Canberra has secured with neighboring countries to reinforce ties and limit China’s influence in the region.
At a signing ceremony, President Prabowo Subianto met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said before he travelled to Jakarta that the pact was a “watershed moment” in ties. It “represents a major extension of our security and defense cooperation and demonstrates that our relationship is as strong as it has ever been”, Albanese said.
The agreement aims to increase the security partnership between the two countries "to a new level", for mutual security and regional security.
The text will be modelled on the 1995 Australia-Indonesia agreement to avoid a binding mutual defense obligation like the one currently held with Papua New Guinea. This structure ensures the pact remains a consultation process rather than a strict military requirement.
#Australia #Indonesia
@asianomics
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🇯🇵🇺🇸 Trump announces White House visit by Japanese PM Takaichi on March 19
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit the White House on March 19, President Donald Trump said on Thursday, praising the Asian country’s first female leader ahead of weekend snap elections she is expected to win.
Takaichi “has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country”, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social as he announced her visit next month.
The United States and Japan have been working to strike a “very substantial” deal on trade, as well as collaborating on national security, Trump said, offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement”. Polls point to a resounding win in Sunday’s elections for Takaichi’s conservatives after a honeymoon start.
#Japan #USA
@asianomics
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will visit the White House on March 19, President Donald Trump said on Thursday, praising the Asian country’s first female leader ahead of weekend snap elections she is expected to win.
Takaichi “has already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader, and one that truly loves her Country”, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social as he announced her visit next month.
The United States and Japan have been working to strike a “very substantial” deal on trade, as well as collaborating on national security, Trump said, offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement”. Polls point to a resounding win in Sunday’s elections for Takaichi’s conservatives after a honeymoon start.
#Japan #USA
@asianomics
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