IRIA News

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth underscored the Trump administration’s firm stance on countering China in the Indo-Pacific during his high-profile visit to the Philippines on March 28, 2025.

In his first official trip to Asia since assuming the role, Hegseth pledged deeper U.S. engagement with regional allies, notably Manila, and emphasized a return to military strength and deterrence as key pillars of American foreign policy.

At a joint news conference with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro following a meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Hegseth criticized the previous U.S. administration, which he accused of enabling global adversaries through inaction.

“What we’re dealing with right now is many years of deferred maintenance, of weakness, that we need to reestablish strength and deterrence in multiple places around the globe,” Hegseth said.

Blaming the Biden administration’s defense posture for emboldening China, Hegseth stated that President Trump was reviving the U.S. military’s “warrior ethos” and reinstating America’s commitment to its allies.“

Focus on the Indo-Pacific

In a meeting with Philippine President Marcos, Hegseth reaffirmed U.S. support for maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea, where tensions between China and regional states, including the Philippines, have spiked over the last two years.

“Friends need to stand shoulder to shoulder to deter conflict, to ensure that there is free navigation whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea,” Hegseth told Marcos.

He dismissed the notion that the U.S. was preparing for war, insisting instead that a credible deterrent is essential to preserving peace. “Peace is won through strength,” he emphasized.

Expanded military cooperation

In a significant policy announcement, Hegseth said the Trump administration would increase security assistance to the Philippines, expanding on a $500 million military modernization fund initially introduced by the Biden administration.

The U.S. is set to deploy the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, an advanced anti-ship missile platform, alongside unmanned sea vessels for large-scale joint military exercises in the Philippines next month. These exercises, involving thousands of American and Filipino troops, are designed to strengthen interoperability and prepare for the defense of Philippine sovereignty.

Notably, U.S. and Philippine special operations forces will also conduct joint training exercises in Batanes province, the Philippines’ northernmost region, located near Taiwan. The exercises underscore growing concerns over China’s threats to annex the self-ruled island.

Hegseth praised U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo for his readiness and strategic foresight. He noted that Paparo has “real war plans” and is prepared to “work with allied forces to create strategic dilemmas for the communist Chinese that will help them reconsider whether or not violence or action is something they want to undertake.”

China’s fierce rebuke

China lashed out at the increased U.S.-Philippine military cooperation. Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian condemned foreign involvement in South China Sea affairs, warning that joint operations could jeopardize regional peace.

“U.S.-Philippines military cooperation must not harm the security interests of other countries or undermine regional peace and stability,” Wu said Thursday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun went further, delivering a stark warning to Manila. “Nothing good could come out of opening the door to a predator. Those who willingly serve as chess pieces will be deserted in the end,” Guo said.

Despite these warnings, Philippine officials have stood firm. Defense Secretary Teodoro stressed the importance of building robust alliances to deter aggression and defend the rule of law. “God forbid. We must be prepared to deter any possibility in the future for our mutual defense and the defense of freedom and international law,” Teodoro declared.

Optics and symbolism

While Hegseth’s visit was heavy with strategic messaging, it was also marked by efforts to connect with troops on the ground. Shortly after his arrival, Hegseth was seen in a casual sweatshirt and shorts joining American and Filipino soldiers for a physical training session, including push-ups, at a military gym. Photographs posted by the U.S. Embassy showed Hegseth smiling and flashing thumbs-up gestures with military personnel, a move seemingly aimed at reinforcing morale and camaraderie.

His appearance in the Philippines comes amid scrutiny over past controversies, including reports that he shared sensitive discussions about military planning via the Signal app with top officials and a media editor. Nevertheless, the defense chief maintained a composed and confident demeanor throughout his engagements in Manila.

Following his visit to the Philippines, Hegseth is scheduled to travel to Japan, another key U.S. ally in the region. His tour signals a reinvigoration of Trump’s “America First” foreign policy, now taking a more assertive tone in the face of China’s rising influence.

While concerns linger among some Asian nations about Washington’s long-term commitment, Hegseth’s rhetoric and promises of expanded cooperation suggest a recalibrated U.S. strategy in Asia, one that hinges on a stronger military presence, strategic deterrence, and deeper alliances.

A strong force is a ready force. Morning PT with the team—pushing limits, building strength. pic.twitter.com/JMti4SqClI

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) March 28, 2025