The United States has reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty covers attacks on the Philippine Coast Guard following an incident where a China Coast Guard vessel rammed the BRP Teresa Magbanua in the South China Sea, highlighting ongoing tensions in the region. Concurrently, Kamala Harris' campaign emphasizes managing competition with China without escalating to conflict, contrasting with Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy. Meanwhile, Taiwan's defense ministry reports that China lacks the capability for a full invasion but is enhancing military pressure through new weapons and tactics, including potential blockades of foreign cargo ships. These developments underscore the complex geopolitical challenges in the Asia-Pacific region involving the US, China, and their allies.