US may allocate $12B for China deterrence initiative

Donald Trump, the US president, requested $12 billion from Congress for fiscal year 2027 to implement an initiative aimed at deterring China.

According to documents accompanying the US Department of War's draft 2027 budget, the administration requested $11.7 billion through the Pentagon for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

The documents said that, in support of Trump's goal of maintaining stable and fair relations with China, the US Department of War would seek to establish a military balance in the Indo-Pacific region.

They said this would be achieved by building a strong defensive line restricting access along the first island chain and by strengthening collective security with allies.

According to the Pentagon, the strategy is aimed at preventing China from achieving dominance, maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and securing a favourable position for the United States in negotiations.