Strengthening US alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific

As the Trump administration redefines its foreign policy priorities, U.S. allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific face a rapidly evolving strategic landscape. From trade realignments and new political leadership to potential shifts in U.S. force posture and the narrowing power gap between the United States and China, the region is at a crossroads. To what extent will U.S. allies increase their own defense spending and work with other regional partners in bilateral or multilateral settings? How will regional actors recalibrate their security and economic strategies?

On December 2, the Center for Asia Policy Studies at Brookings hosted a public event to examine the future of U.S. alliances and partnerships. Drawing on deep expertise in alliance management, military strategy, and economic policy, the panelists explored how U.S. allies are responding to new pressures and opportunities in the region, and how they are shaping the broader regional order across the Indo-Pacific.