President Obama pledges millions to Asian allies to stand up to China


As China extends its territorial claims to the South China Sea, building up underwater reefs into airstrips and islands to host military equipment, the United States is pushing back by funding its allies in the region. On Tuesday, President Obama pledged an additional $250 million over the next two years to the navies of Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam with the goal of resisting China's reach.
The fear is that China's artificial islands represent a territorial grab and could block crucial trade routes, which are among the most heavily trafficked in the world. The U.S. has repeatedly challenged China on the issue, even sailing a Navy destroyer through the region, but the U.S. has not taken an official stand one way or another on who owns the waterway. (For more, here's a refresher on the conflict from Daily PNUT).
"We have a treaty obligation, an ironclad commitment to the defense of our ally the Philippines, who can count on the United States. My visit here underscores our shared commitment to the security of the waters of this region and to the freedom of navigation," Obama said in his remarks.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents
-
Judge blocks Trump’s Guard deployment in Chicago
Speed Read The president is temporarily blocked from federalizing the Illinois National Guard or deploying any Guard units in the state
-
Trump urges jail for Illinois, Chicago leaders
Speed Read The Texas National Guard begin operations in the Chicago area
-
Bondi stonewalls on Epstein, Comey in Senate face-off
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi denied charges of using the Justice Department in service of Trump’s personal vendettas