The Significance of the Establishment of the United States Indo-Pacific Command for U.S.–China Relations

Abstract

An essential element of U.S. foreign policy strategy is an active presence in Asia. China’s economic strengthening and the American–Chinese trade war have also given America a greater emphasis on projecting military forces into the region. One key element of this is the establishment of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM). In this article, I detail the reasons for setting up the headquarters, its task and its area ofresponsibility. I describe the military factors that affect U.S.–China foreign policy relations.