U4AOS1 United States in the Indo-Pacific

Military Power

the use of a state’s armed forces to fight, defend itself, or influence other nations

Example of military power

AUKUS

used to project its own armed forces, enhance the defensive capabilities of its allies, and shape the strategic behaviour of other nations in the Indo-Pacific.

Political Power

use of the legislative and legal mechanisms – including presidential ‘executive orders’ in the case of the US – to influence the actions taken by other domestic and international actors

example of political power

TAIPEI Act (2020)

requires the US state department to formally engage with governments worldwide and consider downgrading US relations with any nation that takes actions adverse to Taiwan’s diplomatic recognition or security 

Designed to legally discourage Indo-Pacific states from cutting ties with Taiwan in favour of Beijing

Diplomatic Power

use of negotiations, speeches, or other communications through public or private channels, to influence other actors’ actions

example of diplomatic power

The Quad

allows the US to negotiate with the allied states through coordinated diplomatic communication

Uses Quad joint statements to influence developing Indo-Pacific nations by offering alternatives to Chinese investments

Economic Power

the use of the state’s economy, or government finances, as leverage to influence other actors’ behaviour

example of economic power

Tariffs

When Trump announced the 2025 tariffs, the US used its economy to influence states to negotiate with the US and attempt to influence businesses to return their supply chains to the US

Cultural Power

use of attraction and the positive elements of a country’s culture to attract positive attitudes towards the state, with the hope that these will transfer into positive influence that will benefit the state in question

example of cultural power

Fulbright Scholarships

by offering scholarships to high achieving international students, the United States builds lifelong positive ties with the individual, promoting US values in their home country

economic prosperity

continuing expansion of a state’s economy and the protection of its future economic interests

examples of US pursuing economic prosperity

tariffs

protect domestic industries from foreign competition, encouraging local manufacturing, and securing national supply chains

• foriegn steel imports plummeted by 30%

• US Treasury reported the federal government collected over $159 billion in tariff revenue in a year

Security

Ability of the state to defend its borders, territory and stability, including economic, cyber and environmental

examples of US pursuing security

AUKUS - pact for nuclear submarines and military cooperation

strengthens regional deterrence, expanding naval capacity in the Indo-Pacific

Rise of China

US has tried to ‘contain’ China’s power since the rise of the communist party in late 1940s

rapid economic growth since 1990 has made them an economic rival of the US

views China’s claim on South China sea as a threat to Freedom of Navigation particiularly for trade routes

Regional Relationships

Bilateral relationship with a state in the Indo-Pacific, pursued to influence the actions of that state, and sometimes other actors

Features of US alliance with Japan

• allows US to project its power deep into China by hosting 50,000 troops

• Partnership with US is a primary way for tokyo to ensure national security due to pacific constitituon

Features of US alliance with India

• US-India trade surpassed $191 billion in 2023

• disputed border regions and ecnomic rivalry with China aligns with the US’s goals to contain Chinses influence and maintain freedom of navigation

regional standing

public reputation of a state held by others, there must be more than one state’s opinion for the view to be regional standing

examples of regional standing

tariffs has cause frustration and confusion amongst indo-pacific

Japan “difficult to understand” and “stunned” by 24% 77% did not think US would come to japan’s aid

India remained quiet after 27% - 68% viewed US favourably, 77% did not like China

South Korea accused the US of creating “increased uncertainty” 25%

diplomacy as an FPI

use of negotiatons, speeches or other communication to achieve foreign policy goals of a state

examples of US using diplomacy as an FPI

Busan APEC Summit in 2025

• negotiated with China to lower tariff in return for China to go back to purchasing 28 million tonnes of US soybeans per year until 2028

• “12 out of 10”- Trump

• “normal for 2 leading economies of the world to have fritcions”- Xi

examples of US using trade as an FPI

Trade war with China- to achieve economic prosperity

• reduce trade deficit (in Jan 2025 it was $295 billion)

  • trump claimed us had been “riped off” since 1980s

• bring manufacutring back to US

  • as of 2024, over 50% of american blame trump for rising prices

• forcing china to negotiate on trade

trade an an fpi

Use of that state’s goods and services, or access to its markets, to achieve its national interests - often of economic prosperity

foreign aid as an fpi

Use of assistance including capital, medical supplies, food aid, and expertise to achieve a state’s national interest 

examples of US using foreign aid as an FPI

Myanmar

• US obligations to Myanmar plummeted 92% between 2024 and 2025

• when 7.7 earthuake hit in 2025, us sent 3 usaid staff, china sent 135 personnel