Japan and the Philippines strengthen cooperation regarding Taiwan amid a more cautious US stance
Kyiv • UNN
Tokyo and Manila are deepening military cooperation amid Washington's restrained position. The countries are creating their own security system to deter China.
Japan and the Philippines are intensifying defense cooperation and becoming increasingly outspoken regarding Taiwan's security, while U.S. President Donald Trump's administration demonstrates a more restrained approach to the issue. This is reported by Bloomberg, according to UNN.
Details
In recent months, leaders of both countries have stated that a potential conflict over Taiwan could directly impact their security. Last week, Tokyo and Manila agreed to deepen military ties, establish new defense consultations, and begin negotiations on military information sharing and maritime borders.
China reacted sharply to the new steps by U.S. allies
Beijing expressed particular dissatisfaction with the maritime border negotiations, which cover areas east of Taiwan where China also asserts its claims. In response, the Chinese Coast Guard intensified patrols in the area and warned of possible countermeasures.
Against this backdrop, Washington is demonstrating more cautious rhetoric. During his visit to Beijing, Donald Trump supported the idea of "strategic stability" in relations with China, and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, during a security forum in Singapore, did not mention Taiwan in his keynote speech for the first time in many years. At the same time, the fate of a $14 billion U.S. military aid package for Taiwan remains uncertain.
Analysts believe that Japan and the Philippines are trying to strengthen their own security systems amid fears of a diminishing U.S. role in the region. Furthermore, Washington's allies seek to create a broader network of partnerships to deter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
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