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☆ Visits from Japanese and Filipino leaders highlight Biden’s efforts to blunt China’s aggression
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Arlette Saenz | Kayla Tausche | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Biden’s week also includes an official visit for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, reinforcing his commitment to cultivating partnerships in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China’s rising economic and military power. The historic leaders summit on Thursday between Biden, Kishida and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos is expected to produce announcements relating to infrastructure, energy security, digital connectivity and maritime security. Meanwhile, Japan has recently loosened restrictions on the export of military technology – paving the way for deeper collaboration with like-minded allies. The first virtual meeting with the four leaders took place in March 2021 with subsequent in-person summits in the years that followed. Biden and his team also have sought to draw in smaller regional neighbors concerned about China’s military and economic aggression.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kishida, Biden, Jake Sullivan, “, Jill Biden, Kishida Yuko, They’re, Ferdinand Marcos, Marcos, ” Sullivan, ”, John Neuffer, ” Biden, ” Rahm Emanuel, Sullivan, zeroed, Japan’s, Yoshihide Suga, Korea’s, Moon Jae, Yoon Suk Yeol, Rodrigo Duterte, Donald Trump, ” Kishida Organizations: Washington CNN, Japanese, CNN, Biden White House, Australia, US Steel, APEC, Washington, Semiconductor Industry Association, Clark Air Base, Subic Naval Base, American, White, Kishida, White House, Pacific, PBS Locations: Japan, Philippines, North Korea, Ukraine, Gaza, India, South Korea, China, Manila, ’, lockstep, Netherlands, Taiwan, Beijing, Thursday’s, US, Australia, South China, South, Russia, Kishida, United States, Tokyo, Seoul, David, United Kingdom, Washington, Vietnam, U.S

☆ Saying 'China Is Watching,' US Spy Chiefs Plead for Ukraine Aid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( March | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Patricia Zengerle and Michael MartinaWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leaders of U.S. intelligence agencies urgently pressed members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday to approve additional military assistance for Ukraine, saying it would not only boost Kyiv as it fights Russia but discourage Chinese aggression. "That has consequences for American interests that go ... directly to our interests in the Indo-Pacific," CIA Director William Burns told the House of Representatives' Intelligence committee's annual hearing on Worldwide Threats to U.S. security. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 96 ImagesThe measure has passed the Democratic-run Senate, and both Republicans and Democrats in the House say it would pass if the chamber's Republican leaders allowed a vote. Photos You Should See View All 60 ImagesRepresentative Mike Turner, chairman of the House intelligence committee, noted that some members of Congress support aid to Ukraine but "I believe, mistakenly," contend that Kyiv can afford a delay. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Michael Martina; Editing by Daniel Wallis)

Persons: Patricia Zengerle, Michael Martina WASHINGTON, William Burns, Burns, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Mike Turner, Michael Martina, Daniel Wallis Organizations: CIA, Representatives, stoke, Republican, Russian, Democratic, Republicans, Democrats Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Pacific

☆ US aircraft carriers lead ‘large deck’ exercises with Japan east of Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —A dozen United States and Japanese warships, including two US aircraft carriers, have been putting on a show of military might this week in the Philippine Sea east of Taiwan. The US Navy aircraft carriers USS Carl Vinson and USS Theodore Roosevelt were joined by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter destroyer JS Ise, seven US guided-missile destroyers and two US cruisers for what the Navy calls a Multi-Large Deck Event (MLDE). An F/A-18E Super Hornet takes off from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during exercises in the Philippine Sea on Jan. 31. Potential maritime flashpointsThat broad area reaches as far south as islands and reefs in the South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine vessels have been in recent confrontations. “The coercive pressure campaign against Taiwan continues, and we’re watching it in the wake of the elections,” Aquilino told the Pacific Forum.

Persons: Carl Vinson, Theodore Roosevelt, ”, Carlos Sardiello, Vinson, Collin Koh, ” Koh, Ronald Reagan, Dwight D Eisenhower –, Carl Schuster, ” Schuster, Xi Jinping, John Aquilino, ” Aquilino, “ I’m Organizations: South Korea CNN, United, Analysts, US, US Navy, Japan, Self, Defense Force, Ise, Carrier Strike, Navy, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, CNN, USNI, Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center, East China, Democratic Progressive Party, Communist Party, Clinton, Party, Taiwan, Pacific Command, Pacific Locations: Seoul, South Korea, United States, Philippine, Taiwan, China, U.S, Japan, Pacific, Singapore, Asia, Red, Yemen, Hawaii, South China, East, Senkaku, Beijing, fmr

☆ Australia Says AUKUS a Response to Arms Race, Not Fuel for It
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - The Indo Pacific region is in the midst of a substantial arms race that Australia is responding to, not fuelling, with its planned acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said on Tuesday. The $245 billion AUKUS project with Britain and the United States to build a new class of nuclear-powered and conventionally armed submarine has been criticised by China as having the potential to spark an arms race. "The arms race is the greatest its been since 1945, and that is why I reject assertions... that Australia is somehow fuelling that arms race. "Conflict is far from inevitable," he said, adding that Australia cannot afford to under-invest in defence. Australia's nuclear-powered submarine fleet will be used for intelligence gathering in peacetime and to strike enemy targets during a war, Conroy said.

Persons: Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Conroy, AUKUS, Kirsty Needham, Gerry Doyle Organizations: SYDNEY, Defence Industry, National Press Club Locations: Australia, Britain, United States, China, Canberra, Southeast Asia, Philippines, South, Darwin

President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, will talk in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday for their second in-person meeting. The meeting is sure to cover many high-stakes topics, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict. While the meeting is noteworthy, the Biden administration is keeping expectations low given that the two countries disagree on many subject areas. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 228 Images“We're not talking about a long list of outcomes or deliverables,” a senior administration official told reporters on a Sunday call. “We're going to cover a whole range of topics that are potentially contentious,” a senior administration official said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, “ We’re, ” Biden, ”, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Biden “, “ We're, “ Organizations: San Francisco Bay Area, Economic Cooperation, U.S, Union, CBS, Defense Department Locations: San Francisco Bay, Ukraine, Israel, China, Asia, San Francisco, “ State, Pacific, U.S

☆ China urges G7 to stop 'inciting confrontation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A two-day G7 foreign minister meeting held in Tokyo ended on Wednesday and mainly called for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war to allow in aid and help the release of hostages. "China will resolutely counter any smear campaigns from external forces," the embassy said, adding it strongly protested against other countries' intentions to curb China with regards to Taiwan. President Tsai Ing-wen, of the democratically governed Taiwan island, said she would continue to work with G7 members toward a free and open Indo Pacific. Critical comments on Taiwan and Hong Kong have long riled Beijing, which considers such criticism as outside interference in its domestic affairs. Democratically governed Taiwan, which China considers as part of its territory, is the most sensitive issue.

Persons: Josep Borrell, James, Annalena Baerbock, Antony Blinken, Yoko Kamikawa, Melanie Joly, Tsai Ing, Hong Kong, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Ben Blanchard, Bernadette Baum Organizations: European Union for Foreign Affairs, German, Canadian, France's, Hong, Thomson Locations: British, U.S, BEIJING, China, Japan, Tokyo, Israel, Russia, Ukraine, Taiwan Strait, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Beijing, Hong

☆ Canada PM calls for immediate humanitarian corridor into Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 6, 2023. Trudeau made his remarks after diplomatic efforts failed to get aid to Gaza. "Canada is calling for unimpeded humanitarian access and a humanitarian corridor, so that essential aid like food, fuel and water, can be delivered to civilians in Gaza. Canada has been using two military planes to airlift people who needed help leaving Israel. Five Canadians have been killed in the Hamas attack on Israel while three are still missing.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, ADEK BERRY, Trudeau, David Ljunggren, Ismail Shakil, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Canada's, ASEAN, Pacific, ASEAN Summit, Rights OTTAWA, Canadian, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Gaza, Israel, Canada, Ottawa, Lebanon, Jordan, Rafah, Egypt

But none have stepped up to condemn India for its alleged involvement in the June slaying on Canadian soil of a Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. All that makes it hard for Canada's main allies — which are also some of India's main partners — to loudly speak out. The government’s allegations are particularly awkward now for the U.K., which is seeking a free trade deal with India. In 2018, for example, China-Canada relations nosedived after China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor. Now the stakes are higher, and it's unclear — at least publicly — who Canada can count on for full-throated support.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, —, They’ve, Hardeep Singh, Janice Stein, Sushant Singh, ”, Trudeau, India ramped, — Trudeau, Rishi Sunak’s, Max Blain, ” Trudeau, Sunak, Joe Biden, Mélanie Joly, John Kirby, “, Kirby, Biden, Robert Bothwell, Narendra Modi's, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Nijjar, Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor, Meng Wanzhou, Meng, Donald Trump, Trump, Bothwell Organizations: TORONTO, Canadian, Munk School of Global Affairs, Policy Research, Canada, Canada’s The Globe, Mail, British, Canadian Foreign, White House, University of Toronto, Indian, Nijjar, White, Huawei, U.S, “ Locations: India, U.S, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Germany, Toronto, New Delhi, West, Vancouver, Canada, Indian, Canadian, Canada’s The, South Asia, Pacific, Ottawa, Washington, Russia, Surrey, Saudi, Saudi Arabia, “, British

☆ Australia boosts maritime surveillance with drones, aircraft upgrades
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft takes off from Perth International Airport, April 16, 2014. REUTERS/Greg Wood/Pool/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Australia will spend A$1.5 billion ($966 million) to boost maritime surveillance of its northern approaches, buying more long range drone aircraft and upgrading Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The fleet of 14 Boeing (BA.N) P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol aircraft will have anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and intelligence collection capabilities upgraded, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said in a statement on Tuesday. The Triton will provide long-range surveillance of Australia's maritime region, the statement said. Conroy said the Poseidon aircraft upgrades will strengthen the protection of Australian "maritime interests".

Persons: Greg Wood, Defence Industry Pat Conroy, , Conroy, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln Organizations: U.S . Navy, Perth International Airport, REUTERS, Rights, Boeing, Poseidon Maritime Patrol, Defence Industry, Northrop Grumman, Triton, United States Navy, Defence, U.S, Australian Poseidon, United Nations Security, Thomson Locations: Australia, Australia's Northern Territory, Asia, South Australia, United States, Pacific, China, Australian, South China, North Korea

☆ Japan's new cabinet reflects PM's focus on gender, defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the leaders talk of the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta, Indonesia September 6, 2023. Top government spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno said the role of defence minister went to Minoru Kihara, a pro-Taiwan politician who has visited the island in the past and belongs to a Japan-Taiwan interparliamentary group. Kihara will also oversee the bolstering of Japan's military as part of a plan to double defence spending over five years by 2027. China claims Taiwan as its own territory and will be sensitive to any shift in Japan's stance on the democratically governed island. "Even if the foreign and defence minister posts change, there won't be any change or impact on Japan's diplomatic policy."

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Adek Berry, Yoko Kamikawa, Hirokazu Matsuno, Minoru Kihara, Kihara, Takashi Kawakami, Shigenobu Tamura, Tim Kelly, Yoshifumi, Sakura Murakami, Chang, Ran Kim, Kantaro, Clarence Fernandez, Stephen Coates Organizations: ASEAN, Pacific, Rights, Liberal Democratic Party, Takushoku University, LDP, NHK, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Taiwan, Japan, Tokyo, China, East Asia, United States

☆ Aircraft glitch delays Canada PM Trudeau's departure from India
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 6, 2023. ADEK BERRY/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTORONTO, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's departure from India was delayed after the aircraft he and the rest of the Canadian delegation were using experienced "technical issues," his office said on Sunday. Trudeau, who attended the G20 Summit in New Delhi, had been due to depart India on Sunday evening local time. "These issues are not fixable overnight, our delegation will be staying in India until alternate arrangements are made." Earlier on Sunday, Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, ADEK BERRY, Justin Trudeau's, Trudeau, CFC001, Narendra Modi, Fergal Smith, Will Dunham Organizations: Canada's, ASEAN, Pacific, ASEAN Summit, Rights, Canadian, Canadian Armed Forces, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, India, New Delhi, Canada

The visit comes as trade and investment ties between the two nations are growing and a long-simmering territorial dispute between Vietnam and China heats up in the South China Sea. Vietnam has named four other countries "comprehensive strategic partners," the designation expected for the U.S.: China, Russia, India and South Korea. Biden's visit comes nearly 50 years after the end of the deeply unpopular Vietnam War between the Soviet-backed Communist government of North Vietnam and South Vietnam’s U.S.-backed regime. "For decades, the US and Vietnam have worked to overcome a painful shared legacy of the Vietnam War, working hand in hand to promote reconciliation, with our service members and our veterans lighting the way," he said. Washington has been pushing to elevate ties with Hanoi to a "strategic" partnership from one that for the past decade has been called "comprehensive."

Persons: Joe Biden, Evelyn Hockstein, Biden, Nguyen Phu Trong, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Nandita Bose, Khanh Vu, Francesco Guarascio, Heather Timmons, Chizu Organizations: Global Infrastructure, REUTERS, Sunday, Communist Party General, Party, U.S ., Google, Intel, Marvell, Boeing, U.S, Communist, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, HANOI, United, China, Asia, Vietnam, South China, Russia, South Korea, Hanoi, U.S, Soviet, North Vietnam, South Vietnam’s U.S, Pacific, US, Washington, Czech Republic

☆ US, Vietnam to Elevate Ties During Biden Visit, With Eye on China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Nandita Bose, Francesco Guarascio, Joe Biden, Biden, Nguyen Phu Trong, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Khanh Vu, Heather Timmons, Chizu Organizations: Francesco Guarascio NEW, Sunday, Communist Party General, Party, U.S ., Google, Intel, Marvell, GlobalFoundries, Boeing, U.S, Communist Locations: Francesco Guarascio NEW DELHI, HANOI, United, China, Asia, Vietnam, South China, Russia, India, South Korea, Hanoi, U.S, Soviet, North Vietnam, South Vietnam’s U.S, Pacific, US, Washington, Czech Republic

☆ Japan PM Kishida plans Sept 13 cabinet reshuffle, coalition partner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the leaders talk of the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta, Indonesia September 6, 2023. Adek Berry/Pool via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsTOKYO, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to reshuffle his cabinet on Sept. 13, the head of the junior partner in Kishida's ruling coalition said on Friday. On Thursday, there was further bad news when former ruling Liberal Democratic Party member Masatoshi Akimoto was arrested on suspicion of taking bribes. 56% of people thought Kishida should renew his cabinet and shake up the senior executives of the ruling party. Reporting by Kantaro Komiya, Sakura Murakami, Kiyoshi Takenaka; editing by John Stonestreet and Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Adek Berry, Natsuo Yamaguchi, Kishida, Masatoshi Akimoto, Akimoto, Kantaro Komiya, Sakura Murakami, Kiyoshi Takenaka, John Stonestreet, Susan Fenton Organizations: Japan's, ASEAN, Pacific, Rights, Public, NHK, Liberal Democratic Party, Asahi, Yomiuri, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, India

☆ Japan PM speaks to China's Li about radioactive water release
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Sakura Murakami | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during the leaders talk of the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) in Jakarta, Indonesia September 6, 2023. Japan started releasing the water from the wrecked plant into the ocean last month, drawing strong criticism from China. "During the chat, I explained Japan's position on the treated water to Premier Li," Kishida said. It was also the first high-level talk between the two countries since the release of the water from the Fukushima plant. The water is treated to remove most radioactive elements except for tritium, a radionuclide difficult to separate from water, and then diluted to internationally accepted levels before being released into the ocean.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Adek Berry, Li Qiang, Kishida, Li, Premier Li, Sakura Murakami, Rocky Swift, Tomasz Janowski, Nick Macfie Organizations: Japan's, ASEAN, Pacific, Rights, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Japan, China, Premier, Tokyo, Beijing

☆ Biden to attend G20 summit in India, VP Harris goes to ASEAN
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a community event at the Lahaina Civic Center, in the fire-ravaged town of Lahaina on the island of Maui in Hawaii, U.S., August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 22 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will visit India from Sept. 7-10 for a summit of the Group of 20 nations while Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Jakarta Sept. 4-7 to attend summits of Southeast Asian leaders, the White House said on Tuesday. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan announced the trips as the BRICS group of major emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - held a summit in Johannesburg. Reuters reported exclusively on Aug. 9 that Biden was unlikely to attend summits of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, citing several diplomats saying it would be a significant disappointment if Biden did not go. Reporting by Susan Heavey and Arshad Mohammed, writing by David Ljunggren and Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Bill BerkrotOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, Kamala Harris, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Biden, Susan Heavey, Arshad Mohammed, David Ljunggren, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Lahaina Civic Center, REUTERS, White House, Reuters, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, Camp David, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, India, Jakarta, Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Johannesburg, United States, Asia, Pacific, Indo Pacific, South Korea, Japan, Camp

When President Biden meets with the leaders of Japan and South Korea at Camp David on Friday, the allies will have another nation in mind: China. Japan, South Korea and the United States share the common interest of competing with an increasingly assertive China and ensuring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Just last week, Mr. Biden banned new American investment in key technological industries that could be used to enhance Beijing’s military capabilities. Washington has also kept a large military presence in both South Korea and Japan in part to counterbalance China’s influence in the region. But China’s economic growth also puts South Korea and Japan in an awkward position.

Persons: Biden, Camp David, Xi, ”, ” Jake Sullivan Organizations: Beijing, Huawei, United States, United, South, U.S Locations: Japan, South Korea, Camp, China, Beijing, United States, Taiwan Strait, U.S, Washington, United, Ukraine, Taiwan, Korea’s belligerence . Washington, Seoul, Pacific

☆ South Korea's Yoon says summit with US, Japan a milestone in trilateral ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Hyonhee Shin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech during a ceremony to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the Korean Liberation Day from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. Lee Jin-man/Pool via REUTERSSEOUL, Aug 15 (Reuters) - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Tuesday that an upcoming summit with the leaders of the United States and Japan will set a new milestone in trilateral cooperation in the face of North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. The summit "will set a new milestone in trilateral cooperation contributing to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo Pacific region," Yoon said. Japan says the issue was resolved under a 1965 treaty that normalised relations, but the strained ties have hindered U.S.-led efforts to bolster trilateral cooperation to curb North Korea's weapons programs. Yoon has taken steps to compensate the victims with South Korean money, instead of Japanese funds, and visited Tokyo in March in the first such trip by a South Korean leader in 12 years.

Persons: Yoon Suk, Lee Jin, Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon, Joe Biden, Fumio Kishida, Camp David, Kim Jong Un, Vladimir Putin, Kim, KCNA, Hyonhee Shin, Ed Davies Organizations: South, Korean, REUTERS, Washington, U.S, Japanese, Camp, North, United, Thomson Locations: South Korean, Seoul, South Korea, REUTERS SEOUL, United States, Japan, Tokyo, Indo Pacific, Maryland, Korea, China, Russia, Washington, North Korea, Russian, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Moscow

☆ Analysis: Canada pressured by allies to up military spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Steve Scherer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The 2022 average spending for all of NATO was 2.58% of GDP. "We say nice things but do not invest," said the former defense official, and allies now say: "Show us the money." And you don’t get elected in Canada by promising to increase defense spending." The move is allies telling Canada: "We don't want to hear the words anymore. David Perry, President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, also said it was time for Canada to step up.

Persons: Justin Trudeau, Jens Stoltenberg, Adam Scotti, I'd, Daniel Minden, Anita Anand, Roland Paris, Trudeau, don’t, Christyn, David Perry, Steve Scherer, Denny Thomas, Grant McCool Organizations: Canada's, NATO, Canadian Forces CF, Minister's, REUTERS, Canada, OTTAWA, Canadian, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Forces, University of Ottawa, Trudeau's Liberal, Lockheed Martin Corp, North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, Washington Post, HIGH, Canadian Association of Defence, Security Industries, Canadian Global Affairs Institute, Thomson Locations: CFB Cold Lake, Cold Lake , Alberta, Canada, China, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Lithuania, Pacific, Australia

☆ Japan, South Korea to speed up talks over pending military issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SINGAPORE, June 4 (Reuters) - Japan and South Korea agreed on Sunday to quickly resolve disputes over past military encounters that stand in the way of closer security cooperation, Japan's defence minister said at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore. Yasukazu Hamada held talks with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jong-sup, as part of Asia's top security conference. "We discussed pending issues" and agreed "to accelerate talks, including steps to prevent a recurrence" of a 2018 radar incident, Hamada told reporters after the meeting. "We will continue to keep close communication with South Korea," he said. Hamada said he and Lee agreed on the importance of promoting defence cooperation among Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Persons: Yasukazu Hamada, Lee Jong, Hamada, Lee, Kaori Kaneko, Tim Kelly, Hyonhee Shin, Hyun Young Yi, Gerry Doyle, William Mallard Organizations: South Korean, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Seoul, Korean, North Korea, U.S, United States

☆ US review of China tariffs won't depend on trade 'breakthrough'-Deputy USTR
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We’re not base-casing any breakthrough in the trade relationship" with China as part of the review, Bianchi said. Bianchi declined to say when the review would be completed, but added that this was "reasonable" by the end of 2023. Some trade experts in Washington view that date as a possible decision point in the tariff review. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen that eliminating "non-strategic" tariffs would reduce costs for specific goods, while Trade Representative Katherine Tai argued that the duties represent "significant leverage" over China. "On trade right now, there aren’t many similar perspectives," she said of the U.S. and China.

☆ U.S. review of China tariffs won't depend on trade 'breakthrough:' deputy U.S. trade representative
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Chinese and US national flag hang on a fence at an international school in Beijing on December 6, 2018. We're not base-casing any breakthrough in the trade relationship" with China as part of the review, Bianchi said. Among the major categories that escaped tariffs were cellphones, laptop computers and videogame consoles. Bianchi declined to say when the review would be completed, but added that this was "reasonable" by the end of 2023. Some trade experts in Washington view that date as a possible decision point in the tariff review.

SEOUL, May 17 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday his country is ready to partner with South Korea on critical minerals and clean energy projects, and to fend off North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Addressing South Korea's parliament, Trudeau said Canada was committed to increase military engagement to mitigate threats to regional security, while working together with Seoul to denuclearise North Korea. "Canada is ready to strengthen our partnership with friends like Korea on everything from critical minerals to high-tech innovation to clean energy solutions," Trudeau said. Yoon and Trudeau will sign an agreement on key mineral supply chains, clean energy conversion and energy security cooperation, a South Korean government official has said. "Canada is committed to increase not just our trade, but also our military engagement as a means of mitigating threats to regional security," Trudeau said.

☆ Australia aims to start making guided missiles within two years
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, April 26 (Reuters) - Australia said on Wednesday it would start domestic manufacture of guided missiles by 2025, two years sooner than expected, in a wide-ranging shakeup of defence arrangements to focus on long-range strike capability. read moreThe timetable for domestic manufacture of guided weapons, originally set for 2027, will be hastened to within two years by allocating A$2.5 billion to the project, Defence Minister Richard Marles said in media interviews. The government was already in talks with missile manufacturers Raytheon (RTX.N) and Lockheed (LMT.N) about establishing production in Australia, Marles added. Discussions were also being held with Kongsberg (KOG.OL), the Norwegian manufacturer of the naval strike missile Australia had already agreed to purchase, he said. Pat Conroy, the minister for defence industry, said the review recommended acquiring Kongsberg's joint strike missile which would "allow us to look at manufacturing the Strike Missile family of missiles in Australia".

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