Japan has received its first F-35B fighter jets from the United States, while also inking a deal to sell 11 Mogami-class frigates to Australia. Just days later, a Chinese Navy destroyer crashed into a Chinese Coast Guard ship while in a reckless pursuit of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel east of Scarborough Shoal. If China had hit the Philippine ship, it would have triggered an international incident. But could it have activated Manila’s Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington? And what impact might this episode have on tensions in the region? In this episode, we discuss the significance of these major arms deals among U.S. allies in light of China’s rising maritime aggression.
Source: Philippines Outsmarts China as Chinese Ships Collide Amid Marcos Taiwan Row | Taiwan Talks EP686
