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.