How Trump’s call for Asia-Pacific allies to raise defence spending may backfire on US
The president hopes his demands will benefit the US defence industry but analysts believe local arms makers may be the main beneficiaries
Donald Trump’s demands that American allies in the Asia-Pacific region share more of the defensive burden have renewed questions about how far they can rely on the United States to help deter the likes of China and North Korea.
Such concerns have led to an increasing focus on developing their own defence industries – but analysts have said that may eventually weaken American dominance in the global arms trade.
Questions over Washington’s commitment
The chain stands between mainland China and the Pacific and has been identified as a strategic barrier that could be used to block access to the open waters.
Its significance is heightened by the fact that Taiwan sits at its heart.
Beijing regards the island as part of China and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.
