U.S.-CHINA RIVALRY DRIVES ASIA-PACIFIC TENSIONS

The dominant Asia-Pacific story is the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, which continues to shape regional geopolitics, maritime security, and trade routes. Recent reporting points to sustained Chinese military pressure around Taiwan, renewed regional pushback on the South China Sea ruling, and close U.S.-allied coordination in exercises and defense talks. Economic coverage also shows the region facing weaker growth prospects amid trade disruption, higher costs, and persistent geopolitical uncertainty. The core regional risk remains that competition over sea lanes, Taiwan, and alliance credibility could spill into broader instability.