U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit the Philippines next week as part of a significant trip aimed at enhancing security and addressing rising tensions with China regarding the disputed South China Sea. The Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez, stated that Hegseth's talks during this visit will center on increasing deterrence against aggressive actions by Beijing in a region that has seen heightened friction.
Hegseth will be in Manila from March 28-29, 2025, meeting with his counterpart Gilberto Teodoro and the country's President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to discuss these concerns. "It’s a strong message to China on solid bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Philippines," Romualdez added, emphasizing the visit's importance in the context of U.S.-Philippines relations.
The backdrop to this visit is the U.S.'s commitment to its treaty allies amid concerns over China's expanding claims in the South China Sea, a crucial global trade route. Several nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, have overlapping claims in these waters, which are rich in resources. In recent years, confrontations between Chinese and Philippine naval forces have intensified, blurring the lines of regional stability.
In a call with Teodoro last month, Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. He discussed with the Philippine leaders the need to re-establish deterrence in the South China Sea by bolstering collaboration with allies and partners while enhancing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. This commitment is critical in light of recent territorial faceoffs that have heightened security concerns.
As tensions continue, the previous Biden administration had warned that the U.S. has obligations under this treaty to defend the Philippines should its forces, ships, or aircraft come under armed attack in the Pacific, which includes instabilities in the South China Sea. In response, Beijing has urged Washington to refrain from intervening in what it deems a regional issue, warning against actions that could disrupt peace and order in the area.
During his trip, Hegseth is also expected to visit Hawaii and Guam prior to arriving in the Philippines, emphasizing U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific. This tour will also include a significant event in Japan where Hegseth is set to participate in a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima. His involvement in such commemorative events underscores the enduring military ties and historical cooperation between the U.S. and its allies in the region.
Following Hegseth's visit, the United States and the Philippines will conduct the Balikatan exercises, their largest annual military drills scheduled for late April, which focus on enhancing combat readiness and interoperability of forces. These exercises will occur amid increasing military activities near the South China Sea and as China asserts its claims more aggressively over Taiwan, another region of contention.
As the region moves towards these upcoming military exercises, the implications of Hegseth's visit are profound. It signals the U.S. determination to strengthen its alliances and to communicate a united stance against any aggressive posturing from Beijing in the South China Sea. The cooperation between the U.S. and Philippines reflects an enduring effort to fortify regional security and reinforce the strategic partnership that has existed since the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty.
The evolving dynamics in the region will likely continue to attract attention, as tensions between China and various Southeast Asian countries escalate. Both the U.S. and the Philippines are poised to navigate these complexities as they underscore the importance of upholding international law, defending territorial sovereignty, and ensuring freedom of navigation in this critical maritime region.
