The spotlight is back on the so-called Squad minilateral grouping of nations aimed at countering China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific, after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth hailed the bloc as the most “strategically positioned to manifest deterrence”.
Observers, however, are mixed on such a stance, pointing to Washington’s transactional approach and seemingly erratic policy shifts under President Donald Trump, warning there may be “little appetite” in focusing on the group.
In his summit opening remarks, Hegseth underscored the Squad’s potential to “bring about peace” amid “an unprecedented military build-up by China.” In a joint statement following the forum, the defence chiefs expressed concerns about Beijing’s actions in the East and South China Seas.
Before forming last year, security chiefs from the future Squad members met for the first time in June 2023 on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, amid ongoing naval skirmishes between China and the Philippines.
Their defence forces have also conducted joint maritime activities in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.
