The United States proposed a defense cooperation framework with Southeast Asian nations to guide joint work over the next several years, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Oct. 28.
The proposal would give future cooperation a framework as U.S.-ASEAN relations reach their 50th anniversary next year. Hegseth spoke at the ASEAN-United States Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting in Cebu, carried by the South China Morning Post in a recording published Oct. 28.
Hegseth described an approach built around countries' ability to defend their sovereignty and contribute to a balance of power. He linked it to the vision for the Pacific he presented on President Donald Trump's behalf earlier this year.
“The approach we're taking we describe as strong, quiet, and clear,” Hegseth said. He described strength sufficient to deter coercion and aggression, restraint to avoid unnecessary escalation, and clarity about U.S. interests and commitments to allies and partners.
He said Washington was willing to work with individual countries based on their circumstances, priorities and shared interests. Agreement on every issue was unnecessary, provided countries agreed on enough fundamentals to support practical cooperation.
He identified improving awareness of activity at sea, helping armed forces operate together and expanding cooperation among navies as areas for continued work. Joint training and planning would build the confidence and skills needed to prevent conflict, he said.
Hegseth also cited cooperation to sustain the ceasefire along the Thailand-Cambodia border. He credited ASEAN's leadership and Trump's attention to the issue, and said the United States would continue to support the regional effort.
Turning to the proposed framework, Hegseth said Washington was ready to begin work with Singapore as it assumed the chairmanship of the ASEAN defense forum that includes outside partners. He gave no deadline for completing it or details of specific commitments.
The Philippine defense secretary said a sustained U.S. presence was necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific. He said this year's gathering coincided with the 80th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the United States.
He cited the Philippine Navy's participation in the second ASEAN-U.S. maritime exercise in Indonesia in December last year. He also cited U.S. naval and air force participation in a maritime activity hosted by the Philippines last month.
The Philippines and Japan co-chair the defense forum's maritime security working group. The United States and Indonesia co-chair its military medicine working group for the 2024-2027 cycle, and Philippine troops joined an exercise in Indonesia last month covering military medicine, cybersecurity and disaster response.
Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense secretary of state reaffirmed support for developing the partnership. Cambodia serves as coordinator for ASEAN-U.S. dialogue relations for 2024-2027 and supported further cooperation that brings practical benefits to member states and the wider region.
