US-CHINA RIVALRY DOMINATES ASIA-PACIFIC

The intensifying US-China rivalry shapes Asia-Pacific geopolitics in 2026, centering on control of critical maritime routes like the Malacca Strait, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea chokepoints. Washington bolsters alliances with Japan, South Korea, Philippines, and Taiwan to counter Beijing's militarization of disputed islands including Senkaku, Spratly, and Paracel. Trade tensions escalate over supply-chain regulations, critical minerals, semiconductors, and technology controls, with upcoming Trump-Xi summits seeking tentative deals amid long-term decoupling. Regional security risks rise from cyber threats tied to geopolitical disputes and competition for energy resources fueling territorial conflicts.