Overall Highlights

• Tensions between the US and China continue to escalate, particularly regarding trade and military actions in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Japan is diversifying its supply chains away from China due to concerns over rare earth mineral curbs and regional security issues.
• Taiwan’s leadership emphasizes the importance of aligning with democratic nations over China for trade cooperation, reflecting regional anxieties about China’s influence.
• China is actively pursuing strategic acquisitions in resource-rich countries to secure its mineral supply chains, indicating its response to US pressures.
• The US is implementing measures to curb China’s dominance in critical minerals, highlighting ongoing economic competition.

United States Perspective (United States Sources)

• Japan’s TDK is affected by China’s rare earth curbs, prompting a push for diversification in supply chains.
• Taiwan’s president advocates for trade partnerships with democracies rather than China, reflecting a broader regional strategy against Chinese influence.
• Japan advises fishermen to avoid disputed islands to prevent clashes with China, indicating heightened security concerns in the region.
• Despite US efforts, analysts suggest there is no clear path to stable peace with China, emphasizing ongoing tensions.
• The US is pushing a $12 billion initiative to reduce China’s control over critical minerals, showcasing economic competition.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China criticizes the US for its ‘condescending and divisive’ approach in international relations, particularly regarding Greenland.
• China’s Chalco and Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Brazil’s CBA for $886 million is seen as a strategic move to secure essential minerals amidst US pressures.
• China urges the US to cease unwarranted interrogations of Chinese enterprise personnel, reflecting tensions in diplomatic relations.
• China’s response to US trade deals includes strengthening ties with resource-rich nations to counterbalance US influence.
• China’s C919 aircraft aims to boost sales in ASEAN markets, demonstrating its push for economic expansion despite US competition.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] Japan’s TDK says affected by China rare earth curbs, making diversification push - WKZO (2/3/2026)
2. [en-US] Taiwan must look to democracies, not China, for trade cooperation, president says - Reuters (2/3/2026)
3. [en-US] Xi’s PLA Purge Explained: Power, Paranoia and the Taiwan Question - Open Magazine (2/3/2026)
4. [en-US] Taiwan must look to democracies, not China, for trade cooperation, president says - TradingView (2/3/2026)
5. [en-US] Fearing clash with China, Japan asks fishermen to avoid flash point islands - The Japan Times (2/3/2026)
6. [en-US] Olive Young ramps up global tourist discounts with Japan, China tie-ups - koreabiomed.com (2/3/2026)
7. [en-US] Despite US offer, no “stable peace” with China - Lowy Institute (2/3/2026)
8. [en-US] China’s C919 to lift off again at Singapore Airshow in bid for Asean sales - South China Morning Post (2/3/2026)
9. [en-US] How New US Trade Deal Gives India Advantage Over China, Pakistan, Bangladesh - NDTV (2/3/2026)
10. [en-US] Japan set to revive WWII military titles in controversial shift - South China Morning Post (2/3/2026)
11. [en-US] Trump lifts Russia-related oil tariffs on India under new trade deal - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
12. [en-US] Greenlandic PM condemns U.S. “condescending and divisive aim” - 新华网 (2/2/2026)
13. [en-US] UK’s Starmer faces backlash over China trip amid claims he was ‘tricked’ - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
14. [en-US] China’s Chalco, Rio Tinto buy Brazil’s CBA for US$886 million to secure minerals - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
15. [en-US] Trump unveils US$12 billion push to curb China’s grip on critical minerals - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
16. [en-US] Canadian PM Mark Carney’s Davos address highlights rifts within the West, as US allies shift pragmatically toward China - Global Times (2/2/2026)
17. [en-US] Denial, apologies, demission: Fallout from latest Epstein file dump - news.cgtn.com (2/2/2026)
18. [en-US] Hong Kong crypto investors stay cautious but upbeat as bitcoin sell-off deepens - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
19. [en-US] EU-India deal, Huawei woes, Europe on the menu? 7 global relations reads - South China Morning Post (2/2/2026)
20. [en-US] China urges U.S. to stop unwarranted interrogations of Chinese enterprise personnel - news.cgtn.com (2/2/2026)