The Pentagon announced on Sunday that US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will embark on a multi-country tour across Asia in the coming days — marking his third visit to the Indo-Pacific region, which Washington continues to prioritize amid growing geopolitical competition with China.
According to the Pentagon, Hegseth’s trip will include stops in Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea, though specific dates were not disclosed. The visit is part of a broader diplomatic and defence push to reinforce partnerships and encourage greater regional cooperation and defence readiness.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump and other senior US officials are also in Asia attending various summits and bilateral meetings — including a highly anticipated face-to-face encounter between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled to take place later this week in South Korea.
The Pentagon emphasized that the tour reflects America’s commitment to its “focus on the Indo-Pacific”, calling it a vital theatre for maintaining peace, stability, and a balance of power.
While the United States has long sought to counter China’s expanding influence through strengthened military alliances and regional partnerships, global crises in the Middle East and Europe have occasionally diverted Washington’s attention. Nonetheless, Hegseth’s latest tour signals a renewed and strategic emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking earlier this year at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth cautioned that China was actively preparing to use military force to shift the balance of power, urging allies like Japan and the Philippines to boost their defence spending and enhance cooperation with the United States.
As part of his Asia tour, Hegseth will also stop in Hawaii to meet with leaders from the US Indo-Pacific Command before continuing on to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Malaysia, engage in bilateral talks in Vietnam, and co-chair a security dialogue in South Korea.
In a statement, the Pentagon reaffirmed its stance:
“Under Secretary Hegseth’s clear and strong leadership, the Department recognises the importance of maintaining peace through strength together with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”
