<p>The Asia-Pacific is home to more people than any other region. Centered on the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, this region includes the easternmost countries of continental Asia as well as the archipelagos that punctuate the coast. Several of these countries, most notably China, experienced rapid economic growth in the second half of the 20th century, giving the region a new sense of global economic relevance that continues today. That relevance, however, depends largely on China, a power in transition whose rise is testing the network of U.S. alliances that have long dominated the region. How effectively Beijing manages its transition will shape the regional balance of power in the decades to come.</p>

Centered on the western rim of the Pacific Ocean, the Asia-Pacific region includes the easternmost countries of continental Asia as well as the archipelagos that punctuate the coast. 

Asia-Pacific

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Beyond Quantitative Easing

The New Silk Road

Modernizing China’s Military

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

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Coping With a Nuclear North Korea

Moscow Looks to the East

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A Japanese Awakening

Asia-Pacific: Among Great Powers

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A digital illustration of the Chinese and EU flags.

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Politics

Transatlantic trade tensions have created a window for tactical EU-China engagement, but structural constraints and unresolved disputes limit prospects for meaningful realignment.

Budding EU-China Rapprochement Amid U.S. Tariffs Will Have Its Limits

U.S.-China Relations

Mexico

Trucks travel by the U.S.-Mexico border after crossing the border into the United States at Otay Mesa, California, on April 2, 2025. 

Although U.S. tariffs will hurt Mexico's economy in the short term, they may eventually grant Mexico a competitive advantage over countries that face even higher duties.

The Buffers That Will Help Mexico Navigate Tariff Turbulence

The Geopolitics of Trade

Military & Security

U.S. reciprocal tariffs will have major economic and political impacts on Japan and South Korea, particularly as both East Asian countries prepare for summer elections.

The Geopolitics of Trade: The Impact of U.S. Tariffs on South Korea and Japan

Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) debates Liberal opposition leader Peter Dutton on April 8, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. 

While another Labor government would portend domestic and foreign policy continuity, a victory by the Liberal-National coalition would signal a shift toward fiscal austerity, loosened energy regulations, expanded defense spending and stricter immigration regulations.

Australia's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

Global Elections

Ecuador

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Italy

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing session of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, China, on March 11, 2025. 

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Xi Tours Southeast Asia, Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Begin

U.S.-Iran Relations

Taiwan's President Lai inspects troops taking part in the Rapid Response Exercise at the Songshan military airbase in Taipei on March 21, 2025.

Lai's policies to defend sovereignty and curb Chinese influence are prompting greater coercive pressure from Beijing.

In Taiwan, President Lai's Actions Toward China Will Speak Louder Than His Words

Vietnamese garment workers stitch apparel at a factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on April 3, 2025, after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping new tariffs on trading partners.

If the 46% U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods remains in place, it will quickly destabilize the country's export-reliant economy, creating substantial risks that could compel Hanoi to deepen its reliance on China.

Trump's Tariffs Pose a Structural Threat to Vietnam's Economy

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A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

Snapshots

Cranes unload shipping containers from a ship at a port in Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province, on April 2, 2025. 

The timing and scope of Beijing's retaliatory measures signal a significant escalation of its trade war with Washington, which may nonetheless increase the long-term chance of a trade deal.

China Abandons Restraint With Latest Trade Salvo Against the U.S.

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Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Second-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Myanmar's military has escalated aerial and artillery attacks across quake-hit and contested regions despite declaring a 20-day ceasefire in the country's civil war on April 2 following the deadly March 28 earthquake, Reuters reported on April 25. 

Myanmar: Junta Intensifying Combat Operations Despite Post-Earthquake 'Ceasefire'

Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a “new level” and strengthen cooperation in a range of sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, science and technology, and security following a bilateral meeting, Reuters reported on April 24. 

Kenya, China: Nairobi and Beijing Upgrade Ties Following Ruto-Xi Meeting

South Korea's first-quarter gross domestic product dropped 0.1% year on year, while consumption fell 0.1%, exports dropped 1.1%, and construction and facility investment fell 3.2% and 2.1%, respectively, according to the Bank of Korea on April 24. 

South Korea: First Quarter GDP Contracts, Second Quarter Off to a Poor Start

Belgium

China is preparing to lift sanctions on European Parliament lawmakers in an effort to revive its stalled Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) with the European Union, the Financial Times reported April 23, citing a spokesperson for European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

EU, China: Beijing Ready to Lift Sanctions on European Lawmakers to Revive EU Investment Agreement 

The Philippines significantly eased restrictions on engagement with Taiwan by allowing Philippine officials to host Taiwanese officials and by allowing Taiwanese delegations to visit the island, though Manila maintained prior prohibitions on top national security leaders like the president and defense minister, Nikkei Asia reported on April 22.

Philippines, Taiwan: Manila Significantly Relaxes Restrictions on Engagement With Taipei

Environment, Science & Technology

The United States imposed antidumping and countervailing duties ranging from an effective 0% to 3,521% on solar panels and modules imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, according to U.S. Commerce Department data published on April 22, with rates on the affected exporting companies depending on their level of cooperation with the U.S. investigation.

U.S., ASEAN: New U.S. Tariffs To Hammer Solar Panel Exports, Chinese Transshipment

China's navy intercepted and expelled a Philippine naval frigate near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on April 20, the South China Morning Post reported the next day.

China, Philippines: Both Countries Use Naval Assets in Latest South China Sea Incident

China and Indonesia agreed to deepen maritime and security cooperation in the South China Sea, including new coast guard and law enforcement memorandums and plans for joint counterterrorism exercises, AP reported on April 21.

China, Indonesia: Bilateral Maritime Deals Strengthen Deconfliction Mechanisms

Asia-Pacific

SITUATION REPORTS

Myanmar: Junta Intensifying Combat Operations Despite Post-Earthquake 'Ceasefire'

Kenya, China: Nairobi and Beijing Upgrade Ties Following Ruto-Xi Meeting

South Korea: First Quarter GDP Contracts, Second Quarter Off to a Poor Start

EU, China: Beijing Ready to Lift Sanctions on European Lawmakers to Revive EU Investment Agreement

Philippines, Taiwan: Manila Significantly Relaxes Restrictions on Engagement With Taipei

U.S., ASEAN: New U.S. Tariffs To Hammer Solar Panel Exports, Chinese Transshipment

China, Philippines: Both Countries Use Naval Assets in Latest South China Sea Incident

China, Indonesia: Bilateral Maritime Deals Strengthen Deconfliction Mechanisms

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