US ‘reestablishing deterrence’ amid Chinese aggression in SCS
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth —AP
MANILA, Philippines — The United States military is “posturing forward” in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, to reestablish deterrence in the face of growing regional tensions over Beijing’s aggression in the South China Sea (SCS), the Pentagon chief said on Wednesday.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made a stop in Hawaii to talk to Indo-Pacific Command officials before his visit to the Philippines and Japan this week.
Speaking to reporters in Hawaii, Hegseth said his trip to Asia is “a reflection of America’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific and the Trump administration’s focus in ensuring that we are doing everything we can to deter conflict with the communist Chinese.”
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“We don’t seek conflict at all, but we will stand strong in deterrence and will posture troops forward that is why we are going out to Guam, to our friends in Japan and the Philippines,” he said.
“We are posturing forward, talking and meeting with commanders who have the capability to understand the AOR (area of responsibility), talking to friends and allies,” he added.
Marching orders
Hegseth is set to arrive in the Philippines on Friday for a meeting with President Marcos and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
“Reestablishing deterrence is part of what President Trump has commanded me, compelled me to do … Reestablishing deterrence is a big part of why we are here,” he said.
His trip to Asia, according to him, would “showcase the pivot that President Trump is putting toward the Indo-Pacific, making sure we are properly focusing and prioritizing where we should.”
Teodoro said over the weekend that Manila and Washington would discuss ways to enhance existing partnerships during Hegseth’s visit.
