The Trans-Pacific Dialogue (TPD) is an annual track-1.5 dialogue organized by the Chey Institute that brings together scholars, policymakers, and opinion leaders from the U.S., Japan, and Korea to discuss pressing global issues and challenges. The dialogue focuses on fostering collaboration and generating innovative solutions to critical geopolitical, geoeconomic, and technological challenges in the trans- Pacific region. Through a series of panel discussions and debates, experts explore the intersection of regional and global dynamics, with an emphasis on the strategic cooperation between these three nations to address mutual challenges.
A primary focus of the dialogue has been the intensifying competition between the U.S. and China, exploring issues such as technological rivalry, economic decoupling, and the broader implications of their strategic competition for global order. It has also touched on key topics including North Korean denuclearization, the future of U.S.-Japan-Korea trilateral cooperation, and the evolving role of scientific innovation in shaping geopolitical landscapes. The dialogue examines how emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors are reshaping global power structures, while also addressing the need for multilateral cooperation to secure technological leadership.
In addition to security and technological issues, the TPD has also addressed economic challenges, particularly the future of global supply chains and the growing influence of China and Russia. Panelists have debated strategies to rebuild and strengthen supply chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors and electric vehicle batteries, while also assessing the implications of global inflation on economic stability. A key theme throughout the dialogue has been the importance of sustained collaboration among the U.S., Japan, and Korea to enhance competitiveness and promote stability in the region.
Overall, the TPD serves as a critical platform for shaping regional and global policy by encouraging open discussions on how to address the most pressing challenges of our time. Through its collaborative approach, the dialogue fosters a deeper understanding of complex issues and promotes strategies for creating a more secure, stable, and prosperous future for the trans-Pacific region and beyond.
1. Security Challenges and the Future of U.S. Alliances in East Asia
Contingencies involving Taiwan, the South China Sea, and North Korea are of paramount importance due to their potential to disrupt regional and global stability. Taiwan represents a critical flashpoint in US-China relations, with implications for trade, global supply chains, security alliances, and the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. The situation in the South China Sea is urgent, with near-constant PRC pressure on the Philippines in support of illegitimate maritime claims. Similarly, North Korea's unrelenting nuclear ambitions and unpredictable behavior pose significant threats to peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. Deterring aggression will require careful strategic planning, robust deterrence, and cooperation between the U.S., Korea, and Japan, as well as other partners.
Gary SAMORE is the Director of the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and Professor of the Practice of Politics in the Department of Politics at Brandeis University. He is also a senior fellow with the Project on Managing the Atom at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Samore previously served as President Obama’s White House Coordinator for Arms Control and Weapons of Mass Destruction. He was a National Science Foundation Fellow at Harvard University, where he received his MA and Ph.D. in government in 1984.