The US confirmed on January 12 a significant fuel transfer from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to a commercial site in Subic Bay, Philippines. The US announcement came just a day before Taiwan’s presidential elections, where voters swept the ruling DPP’s* Lai Ching-te into power. The fuel transfer from Pearl Harbor to Subic Bay has sparked concerns, especially as a Philippine lawmaker linked it to escalating tensions over Taiwan. The disclosure also follows the identification of the departure of the US-flagged tanker Yosemite Trader from Pearl Harbor on December 20.