United States has 'enduring' interests in Asia-Pacific, defense secretary says
TOKYO - The United States has "enduring" interests in the Asia-Pacific region and is working for an orderly transfer of power to the administration of President-elect Donald Trump, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday.
Carter is in Japan to try to soothe anxieties caused by the victory of Trump, who has called for allies to pay more to sustain US forces, or face their possible withdrawal.
The outgoing administration of Barack Obama made Asia and US alliances there a top priority. Details of Trump's approach to the region remain scant, but he wants to see key US allies, such as Japan and South Korea, shoulder a greater share of defense costs.
"The United States has important interests in this region, and therefore, because many of those interests are shared with Japan, we have a common interest in strengthening the capabilities of the alliance," Carter told reporters.
