A major US newspaper says a secret internal guidance memo that sets out a prioritization framework for senior Pentagon officials includes a plan to pressure allies to increase their defense expenditures. The document also states that the US military will be reoriented, so that preventing China from seizing Taiwan can be prioritized.
An article published by The Washington Post on Saturday contains details about the document, which is known as the Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance. The article says the document was distributed throughout the Defense Department in mid-March and signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
In the memo, Hegseth reportedly wrote, "China is the Department's sole pacing threat, and denial of a Chinese fait accompli seizure of Taiwan -- while simultaneously defending the US homeland is the Department's sole pacing scenario."
The document also reportedly notes that the Pentagon will only consider conflict with Beijing when planning contingencies for a major power war. The Pentagon will apparently leave the threat from Moscow to the European allies.
The article says that the Pentagon will "pressure allies in Europe, the Middle East and East Asia to spend more on defense to take on the bulk of the deterrence role against threats from Russia, North Korea and Iran."
The administration of US President Donald Trump has said that European countries should play a greater role in dealing with the Ukraine situation.
The Trump administration also has a vision for the Indo-Pacific region. It wants Taiwan to sharply increase its defense outlays. The administration also wants to work with Japan and other allies to enhance deterrence against China.