US Trump-era Asia policy shifts to transactional approach, mirroring Europe strategy

POLITICO reported that this year's Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore clearly demonstrated the US Trump administration's transactional approach to European policy, which is now extending to Asia. The US increasingly believes that regional allies should bear more responsibility in the face of China's rapidly growing power.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted annually by the British International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in Singapore since 2002, has become an important security forum in the Asia-Pacific. This year's event was scheduled to take place from May 29 to 31.

POLITICO pointed out that the Shangri-La Dialogue has traditionally been a stage for the US and its allies to openly criticize China and demonstrate cooperation in dealing with Beijing. However, Trump administration officials attending this year emphasized that Asia must play a leading role in the region. This approach is identical to the current US policy towards Europe, where the US demands that allies take on defense responsibilities and bear the associated costs when the US focuses on the Western Hemisphere.

US War Secretary Pete Hegseth, in his keynote speech at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, directly stated that "the era of the United States subsidizing wealthy nations' defense is over," urging allies to increase defense spending, with military expenditure as a percentage of GDP reaching 3.5%, to show "some skin in the game."

However, he was relatively low-key when discussing Beijing, merely acknowledging the "reasonable vigilance" shown by Asian countries towards China, which also led allies to maintain restraint. Currently, allies are trying to find their own way to counter the expansion of China's influence in the future, as they may no longer be able to rely entirely on US protection.

A participating Asia-Pacific official, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "On the surface, everyone will still say they believe in the US as an ally, but privately, people are starting to think more seriously about what the regional order will look like in the post-American era."

During the forum, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed his hope to meet with the Chinese Defense Minister, emphasizing that Tokyo's significant increase in its defense budget was not targeted at any specific country. Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr., usually one of the most vocal critics of Beijing in Asia, was seen avoiding a large group of Chinese reporters in the pantry.

Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius expressed concern about "the undermining of international rules," but did not name who was undermining them.

Southeast Asia simply wants to avoid getting involved in trouble. Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said: "There is already enough trouble in this world. If this region can avoid getting into trouble, it will make us stand out."

A European diplomat based in India stated that although Chinese and Indian troops had a physical clash in the Himalayas a few years ago, India is now focusing on mending its relationship with Beijing.

Supporters of Hegseth emphasized that the Trump administration has actually maintained its existing policies, including attempts to restart arms control talks, private protests against China's land reclamation in the South China Sea, and continued support for Taiwan, but without high-profile publicity. US Congressman Pat Harrigan, an ally of President Trump, said: "We will handle these matters discreetly."

Chong Ja-yin, a professor at the National University of Singapore, said: "Allies seem to be doing their best to cooperate, especially Australia and Japan, to fill the security vacuum left by the US's lack of attention and demonstrate that they are taking responsibility. As for other countries, while they talk a lot about the importance of the rule of law and international systems, they neither hold the US accountable nor make greater demands on China."

A report by Bloomberg News described Hegseth's attempt at the Shangri-La Dialogue to convince allies that maintaining a low profile on the Taiwan issue is the best way to demonstrate US strength.

The report stated that Hegseth was the first Pentagon chief in over a decade to deliver a special address of about 30 minutes at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue without mentioning Taiwan at all.

Hegseth declared that "the era of performative anger is over," describing US policy towards the Asian region as "strong, low-key, and clear," and said that US-China relations are "better than they have been in years."

This milder wording was a stark contrast to Hegseth's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue a year ago. At that time, he said China "is preparing to use force to subvert the balance of power in Asia," that China's threat was imminent, and referred to Beijing as "Communist China."