US-Asia relations

What is ‘strategic autonomy’ – and why is everyone suddenly reaching for it?

Hegseth listed Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam among those that are stepping up.
SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE 2026

US’ Hegseth hails Asian partners for boosting security spending; omits Taiwan in roll call

It will be US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's third trip to Japan in little more than a year.

Bessent’s unprecedented grasp on Japan policy tests Takaichi

Military officers from Japan (L) and the United States (R) talk to each other during opening ceremonies of the Philippines-US Exercise Balikatan.

China warns against joint US, Philippines and Japan drills eroding regional trust

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (left) and Indonesia's counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announce a "major defence cooperation partnership".

Indonesia weighs proposal allowing US military overflights

From the Middle East to Greenland, US President Donald Trump’s persistent foreign policy brazenness has sapped the trust of longstanding allies.

Are Asia and Europe at ‘Trump tipping points’?

US military personnel with munitions at the RAF Fairford airbase in Gloucestershire, UK. Defence officials in Asia are growing alarmed that more American firepower will shift over time if the Middle East conflict drags on.

The quiet death of the US pivot to Asia

A garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City. Targets of the US probes include Vietnam, which had the largest trade surplus with the US in January.

US tariff turmoil: Will partners in Asia and Europe break away from their 2025 deals?

Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa said that he will continue the tough negotiations, noting that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to visit the US in March.

Japan, US far apart on US$550 billion fund projects