In an implicit warning to China, President Obama promised Australian political leaders that the U.S. military would retain and expand a strong military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, despite possible cuts to Defense spending under the deficit reduction agreement.
“This is a region of huge strategic importance to us,” Obama said in a press conference yesterday. He affirmed that “even as we make a whole host of important fiscal decisions back home, this is right up there at the top of my priority list. And we’re going to make sure that we are able to fulfill our leadership role in the Asia Pacific region.”
In keeping with that, Obama promised the Australian Parliament today that “reductions in US defense spending will not — I repeat, will not — come at the expense of the Asia Pacific.” He declared that “the United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay.”
Obama tried to maintain a conciliatory tone with regards to China, but the potential tension between the two countries remained evident. “The main message that I’ve said not only publicly but also privately to the Chinese is that with their rise comes increased responsibilities,” Obama said at the press conference. “There are going to be times where they’re not, and we will send a clear message to them that we think that they need to be on track in terms of accepting the rules and responsibilities that come with being a world power.
The president also dismissed the suggestion that the United States has a fear of China. “I think the notion that we fear China is mistaken,” Obama answered. “The United States is going to be a huge participant in both economic and security issues in the Asia Pacific region, and our overriding desire is that we have a clear set of principles that all of us can abide by so that all of us can succeed. And I think it’s going to be important for China to be a part of that. I think that’s good for us.”
