Hegseth: The U.S. will increase its military presence in Asia to counter China.

During a visit to Manila, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced plans to strengthen military alliances with the Philippines in order to "re-establish deterrence" against China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. At a joint press conference with his counterpart Gilbert Teodoro, Hegseth emphasized that the Trump administration would prioritize this region like never before.

In statements to the press, Hegseth revealed that the U.S. would deploy additional advanced military capabilities for joint training, enhance interoperability for "high-level operations," and prioritize defense industry cooperation. He stated, "Together, we will encourage our partners and allies in the region to increase their defense capabilities and enhance deterrence through collaboration."