Hegseth Likely to Face Questions on US Commitment to Indo-Pacific at ASEAN Summit

MANILA, October 28: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to face questions about Washington’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific during meetings with Southeast Asian defence officials at the ASEAN defence gathering in Cebu, Philippines, amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran and rising tensions with China.

The October 28–29 meeting comes as the conflict in the Middle East places additional pressure on US military resources and disrupts global energy and shipping markets. Washington is expected to use the gathering to reaffirm its commitment to regional security and maintaining a strong presence in the Pacific.

Regional officials are likely to seek clarity on US strategic priorities, its expectations of allies and partners, and whether Washington can sustain its Indo-Pacific commitments while managing military challenges in other regions.

Energy security is another major concern for Southeast Asian economies, many of which depend heavily on imported fuel. Disruptions to shipping routes and global energy supplies could have significant economic consequences for countries across the region.

The summit is also taking place amid continuing tensions between the Philippines and China over competing territorial claims in the South China Sea. Manila has raised concerns about Chinese maritime activities, while regional governments continue to seek ways to protect their maritime interests and maintain stability.

The gathering provides an opportunity for Washington to discuss maritime security, defence cooperation and its treaty commitments to regional allies, particularly the Philippines. Defence officials from the United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines are also expected to discuss shared security concerns on the sidelines of the meeting.

However, achieving a unified regional position on the South China Sea remains challenging. ASEAN members maintain different economic and diplomatic relationships with Beijing, complicating efforts to develop a common approach to maritime disputes.

The discussions are expected to highlight the balancing act facing Southeast Asian governments as they seek stronger security partnerships with the United States while maintaining economic cooperation with China.

Hegseth’s engagements could offer further indications of Washington’s priorities in the Indo-Pacific as regional countries assess the implications of competing global security challenges.