As Asia prepares for potential instability ahead of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, Australia, Japan, and the United States are taking significant steps to strengthen their strategic partnerships.
Before Trump’s anticipated inauguration in January, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is working to reinforce Washington’s network of like-minded allies cultivated during President Joe Biden’s administration to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Under Biden, the United States has deepened defense ties with regional players such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines to address China’s expansionist strategies.
Austin’s first stop on this mission was Australia, where he joined his Australian and Japanese counterparts to announce that Japanese soldiers would now participate in an annual rotation alongside U.S. Marines in Darwin.
“Recognizing the critical role of the trilateral partnership in maintaining regional stability, we are committed to trilateral policy coordination and consultation on regional security challenges and contingencies,” the three nations’ defense ministers stated in a joint announcement on Sunday, emphasizing concerns over China’s growing regional presence.
In their statement, the ministers highlighted their “grave concern” over “destabilizing actions” in the East and South China Seas, specifically referencing “dangerous behavior” by the Chinese military toward Philippine vessels and other maritime actors. They also underscored the importance of maintaining “peace and stability” in the Taiwan Strait as a key regional priority.
