Trend Competing alliance networks in the Indo-Pacific as US coordination loosens

Summary

Washington seeks to contain China's growing reach in the Indo-Pacific through a lattice-like network of alliances and partnerships that links NATO with regional allies. Economically it relies on semiconductor cooperation, a critical minerals partnership, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and US-Japan-Korea cooperation in supply chains and advanced technology. Beijing labels this an alliance network and answers with wedge strategies, soft balancing and outreach to the Global South, making the region a focus of BRICS expansion and the Belt and Road. Under Trump's second term, however, pressure on China has shifted from coordination with partners to bilateral coercion, including secondary sanctions on allies. The report therefore expects US strategic engagement in the region to weaken while China's efforts to expand its influence intensify.