SYDNEY/DARWIN, Australia -- Australia, Japan and the U.S. are moving to solidify their strategic partnership as Asia braces for potential instability in the lead-up to Donald Trump's return to the White House.
Before Trump takes office in January, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is working to shore up Washington's networks of like-minded partners, which the administration of President Joe Biden has developed to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific. Under Biden, the U.S. has endeavored to bolster minilateral cooperation with Japan, South Korea and other regional players, like the Philippines.
