U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Manila American Cemetery and took part in a wreath laying ceremony on Friday. Hegseth’s decision to make the Philippines his first stop in Asia, followed by Japan — both U.S. treaty allies facing territorial disputes with China — was the strongest assurance yet by the U.S. under President Donald Trump to maintain a security presence in the region.
Hegseth says U.S. seeking to re-establish deterrence strategy during Philippines visit
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the Manila American Cemetery and took part in a wreath laying ceremony on Friday. Hegseth’s decision to make the Philippines his first stop in Asia, followed by Japan — both U.S. treaty allies facing territorial disputes with China — was the strongest assurance yet by the U.S. under President Donald Trump to maintain a security presence in the region.