Cebu (TDI): The United States has proposed developing a new defense cooperation framework with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as Washington seeks to strengthen regional security partnerships and reaffirm its commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the proposal on Wednesday during a meeting with Southeast Asian defense ministers in Cebu, Philippines, saying Washington was ready to cooperate with regional partners on the basis of shared interests and national priorities.
“We’re not going to agree on everything, nor do we need to,” Hegseth said, arguing that common interests could provide a foundation for practical defense cooperation.
He proposed a US-ASEAN Framework for Defense Cooperation to guide security collaboration over the coming years, with discussions expected to begin as Singapore prepares to assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The initiative is expected to coincide with the 50th anniversary of formal US-ASEAN relations in 2027. Hegseth described the coming years as particularly important for regional security and called for more ambitious cooperation between Washington and the 11-member bloc.
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Hegseth also outlined Washington’s priorities, including stronger maritime domain awareness, improved military interoperability and closer cooperation among regional naval forces.
He said joint training, planning and operational coordination could strengthen partners’ capabilities and help prevent conflict. He described the US approach as “strong, quiet and clear,” intended to deter coercion and aggression while avoiding unnecessary escalation.
The proposal comes as Southeast Asian governments navigate growing security concerns, particularly tensions in the disputed South China Sea, where China has competing maritime claims with several countries in the region, including the Philippines.
Manila, a US treaty ally, has experienced repeated confrontations with Beijing over disputed waters. The Philippines is hosting the 20th ASEAN defense Ministers’ Meeting and the 13th ADMM-Plus, bringing together regional defense officials and dialogue partners.
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The meetings also provide Washington an opportunity to reassure regional governments about its long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific amid competing international security demands and the effects of the conflict involving Iran on US military resources and global energy markets.
The proposed framework’s details have not yet been announced. Its eventual scope will depend on consultations with ASEAN members, whose security priorities and relationships with major powers differ.
