The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, with senior officials stating that Washington is “not turning back” from its strategic pivot to Asia. The assurance came during bilateral talks in London, where British ministers pressed for joint defence spending targets to bolster NATO’s eastern flank and counterbalance China’s growing influence.
Speaking at a joint press conference with UK Defence Secretary John Healey, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said the Biden administration remains “fully engaged” in the region, despite ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East. “We are not turning back. The United States is a Pacific power and will remain so,” Campbell said, adding that Washington is deepening alliances with Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia.
Healey welcomed the statement but stressed that European allies must also shoulder more responsibility. “The UK is committed to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030. We urge all NATO members and partners to meet and exceed the 2% target,” he said. “Shared burden is not just about money. It is about shared risk and shared capability.”
The exchange highlights a persistent tension between US global strategy and European demands for greater burden-sharing. While Washington seeks to contain China’s military expansion in the South China Sea, London and other European capitals are concerned about Russia’s revanchism and the threat to NATO’s eastern frontier.
Analysts note that the UK’s insistence on joint spending targets reflects a broader unease within the alliance. “The US wants to focus on Asia, but European members feel vulnerable,” said Dr. Alice Roberts, a defence policy expert at the Royal United Services Institute. “Without concrete commitments to defence spending, the alliance risks strategic drift.”
The talks also touched upon industrial cooperation, with both sides agreeing to streamline procurement and boost munitions production. Healey announced a new joint venture between BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin to produce advanced missile components in the UK, creating 1,200 jobs.
Campbell emphasised that the US pivot to Asia is “not a zero-sum game” and that a strong Europe is essential for global stability. “We need a Europe that can defend itself but also contribute to security in the Indo-Pacific,” he said. The UK has already dispatched HMS Queen Elizabeth to the region and joined the AUKUS pact.
However, some experts questioned the sustainability of Washington’s twin commitments. “The US is stretched thin,” said retired General Sir Richard Barrons. “It cannot simultaneously deter Russia, contain China, and manage crises in the Middle East without greater European input.”
The meeting concluded with a joint statement reaffirming the “unbreakable” US-UK relationship but offered no new financial pledges. The UK is expected to present a detailed defence spending roadmap in the upcoming Autumn Statement, as pressure mounts from both sides of the Atlantic to match rhetoric with resources.
