Is the US losing the Pacific to China?

Donald Trump’s been on a triumphant tour of Asia, shaking hands,
signing peace deals, and lapping up royal treatment fit for,
well, himself. From Tokyo Tower lit in red, white and blue to 250
cherry trees gifted in his honour, it was a spectacle of ego and
diplomacy rolled into one. In South Korea, they even played YMCA
as he strutted past a military band. Trump’s “12 out of 10”
meeting with Xi Jinping was big on smiles but is it enough to
combat Beijing's increasingly confident posture in the Pacific?


Plus, beyond the fireworks and photo ops, what did this Asia trip
actually achieve? Were the rare earth and critical mineral deals
Trump struck enough to protect Western militaries from China’s
stranglehold on this key industry? Venetia is joined by Ben Bland
from Chatham House and Steve Tsang from The School of Oriental
and African Studies to find out.


Trump may already be losing the economic war for the
Asia-Pacific:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/11/03/trump-may-already-be-losing-war-china-asia-pacific/


Air Force One is stuffed with golden gifts but the promises
remain paper-thin:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/30/air-force-one-stuffed-gifts-trump-trade-deals-uncertain/


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