WASHINGTON — U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby reiterated calls on Monday for Asian allies to step up their defense contributions, emphasizing that the Trump administration seeks partnerships grounded in mutual effort rather than asymmetric reliance. Colby has been a prominent voice in U.S. defense circles for prioritizing the Indo-Pacific, having previously outlined a "strategy of denial" framework centered on preventing any single power from dominating the region.

Speaking at the Stratbase Institute, a Philippine think tank in Manila, Colby stressed that the United States is "digging in" to maintain a "favorable balance of power" in Asia. His remarks come amid persistent concerns that President Donald Trump's "America First" policy could portend a reduced American footprint in the region. The choice of Manila carries strategic weight: the Philippines occupies a central position along the first island chain and remains embroiled in maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea, a corridor that serves as a major artery of global commerce.

"In Manila, I intend to deliver a clear message ... that America's interests are more engaged than ever in the Indo-Pacific, and that we at the Department of War are concentrated on ensuring those interests are stoutly defended," Colby said.

"This means a strong and growing U.S. investment in the region. But it is also coupled with a newfound but common sense expectation of much greater effort and contribution by our allies and partners. Not in a hectoring or unbalanced way. To the contrary, in a spirit of partnership, not dependency," he added.

The Pentagon official underlined that America is "definitely not disengaging from Asia," pushing back against what he characterized as a widespread misreading of the administration's strategic posture.

"Our vital national interests dictate our enduring presence here. What the commentariat frequently misinterprets as 'disengagement' or 'retrenchment' is, in reality, a disciplined and necessary strategic prioritization," he said. "We are not leaving; in fact, we are digging in, to ensure a favorable balance of power where it matters most."

Doubts about the U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific have grown as the Trump administration remains focused on the conflict in the Middle East and has directed greater strategic attention toward the Western Hemisphere under its "America First" agenda, raising questions about the future trajectory of cooperation with Asian allies and partners. Several of those partners — including Japan, which has set a target of doubling defense spending to roughly two percent of GDP, and Australia, which is pursuing a major naval modernization under the AUKUS pact with the U.S. and U.K. — have already been increasing their military outlays in response to the shifting security landscape.

Colby described the maintenance of a "favorable balance of power" in the Indo-Pacific as a "driving" and "abiding" U.S. purpose, though he did not mention China by name during his remarks.

To advance that objective, he emphasized the importance of allied cooperation in building a robust posture of "deterrence by denial" along the first island chain — a concept in which a potential adversary is convinced that any military attack would be denied success.

The first island chain — a string of islands stretching from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines — is widely regarded as a critical defensive line for the United States as it seeks to maintain regional leadership in the face of China's growing military assertiveness. Colby's comments implicitly suggested that Washington aims to prevent Beijing from projecting military power beyond that chain.

Colby also addressed the trend of middle-power nations exploring new security partnerships amid questions about American reliability, cautioning against alliances formulated without U.S. involvement.

"It is to counsel rejecting the delusion of fashionable but superficial ideas like middle power alliances designed to exclude America. To be clear, we encourage collaboration among allies and partners," he said.

"But such efforts by our allies and close partners should integrate and be complementary with America's — not vainly and futilely seek to exclude or supplant us."

He did not identify the specific countries he was referencing.

Source: The Korea Times