US commits US$300m funding for security cooperation in Indo-Pacific region

SINGAPORE – United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Saturday (Aug 4) US$300 million (S$409 million) in funding for security cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region.

This comes just five days after the US said it would invest US$113 million in new technology, energy and infrastructure initiatives in the region. 

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held at the Singapore Expo, Mr Pompeo said the latest funding was part of the US’ commitment to reinforce security cooperation in the region.

“This new security assistance will advance our shared priorities, especially to strengthen maritime security, develop humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping capabilities and enhance programmes that counter transnational threats,” he added.

Security has been a “major focus” of his engagements with Asean, as he conveyed US President Donald Trump’s commitment to this “vital part of the world that continues to grow in importance”, said Mr Pompeo.

The US funding also comes at a time when China has been pumping billions of dollars in investments into the region.

On China, Mr Pompeo said he had raised concerns with regional leaders about the Chinese militarisation of the South China Sea, and the importance of maintaining a rules-based order in the region.

Asked about US’ relationship with China, he said the US has been working towards Mr Trump’s goal of free, open and fair trade across the world.

He added that he spoke to his Chinese counterpart during the meeting here about correcting and adjusting the “unfair trade regime” that President Trump inherited.

Mr Pompeo said he also raised several issues in the region, including advancing cooperation on counter terrorism efforts, cyber security and the humanitarian crisis in the Rakhine state.

Progress on these and other critical security issues is essential to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and Asean will remain at the centre of this effort, he noted.

He said that throughout the Asean-related meetings the past week, he found that the regional bloc is deeply committed to working with the US on various issues that are important to each country.

Beyond South-east Asia, he reiterated the importance of maintaining diplomatic and economic pressure to achieve the denuclearisation of North Korea, as agreed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

“It’s worth remembering this isn’t just an American security goal. It is clear, our partners and allies within Asean know how important that the denuclearisation of North Korea is for their own security. I call on them to strictly enforce all sanctions, including the complete shutdown of all illegal ship-to-ship transfers of petroleum destined for North Korea,” he added.

Commenting on reports of Russian joint ventures with North Korean firms — which are in violation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions — Mr Pompeo said the US expects Russia and all countries to abide by the resolutions. The US would take any violation very seriously, he added.