As Ukraine heats up again, Asia cools — for now

Wang talk may have set the stage for the May 26 Detroit discussion between top Chinese and American commerce officials to address trade disagreements and sanctions.

Cool Asia in case Europe ignites

Rising temperatures in Ukraine from both weather and war, with drying muddy fields set to unleash Russian tanks and troop carriers, may be leading America to cool down Asian confrontation in case Europe flares up in direct NATO conflict with Moscow.

Despite one American general’s recent remark that the US military could handle war in both Europe and Asia, his fellow top brass are not keen to test that bold statement. Indeed, leading analyst retired US Army colonel Douglas MacGregor dismissed the idea of a two-front war, saying America would run out of ammo within a week of such fighting.

That seems likely since months ago, NATO already admitted that its defense stocks and plants could not keep up with Ukraine’s need for munitions and missiles. Thus, Ukraine was reportedly being overwhelmed by a 10-to-1 advantage favoring Russian ordnance.

Besides a possible wider war in Europe, Washington may also have sensed that most of Asia was not keen on war over Taiwan. At the recent summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), President Marcos said Taiwan would be a key issue. In fact, it was totally absent in final summit statements.

Plainly, Asean wants both neutrality and centrality amid superpower rivalry, as President Marcos rightly declared for months until he reversed his tune after the February visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the opening of nine EDCA bases to America.

Bottom line: Washington wants to cool tensions down in Asia, in case Europe erupts. That gives us some breathing room — for now.