The arrival of the USS Carl Vinson in South Korea’s Busan port is not another act of military exercise or display of strength from the US. It is a message of where Washington’s priorities now are. Under Donald Trump, the United States is moving its priorities from Europe and Ukraine and setting its sights on China.
Whereas the Biden administration had extensively invested in countering Russia, Trump and his strategists identify China as the actual threat. This shift in strategy is also visible in the US military presence in the Indo-Pacific theatre, with the recent deployment of warships off South Korea’s coast.
The USS Carl Vinson is the first U.S. aircraft carrier to dock at a South Korean port since U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term in office began in January.
The visit is seen as part of the “ironclad” commitment of the United States to extended deterrence and to show readiness by the military alliance between Seoul and Washington against North Korea, according to the South’s navy.
The nuclear-powered vessel belonging to Carrier Strike Group One was joined by the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and the USS Sterett, a guided-missile destroyer, it said.
“Clearly our presence here in Busan shows the strong alliance between the Republic of Korea and the United States, and our opportunity to train and operate together with our allies,” U.S. Rear Admiral Michael S. Wosje, commander of Carrier Strike Group One, said on Monday.
“Every opportunity we have to sail together and fly together makes us stronger together,” Wosje added in comments to media.
Since his return to the White House, Donald Trump has made it clear that he does not view Russia as the primary rival of the US. Instead, his administration considers China to be the biggest threat.
Trump and his foreign policy team believe China poses an immediate challenge to US global dominance. China’s aggressive expansion and dominance in the South China Sea, its growing military power, and its economic influence have pushed Washington to shift its focus towards the Indo-Pacific.
US Presence in the Indo-Pacific
The arrival of the USS Carl Vinson in South Korea is part of a future strategy of strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific. The US has been increasing its military cooperation with key allies such as Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, and South Korea. These nations, like the US, are concerned about China’s growing military influence in the region. The US also have good permanent military bases in these countries.
Last year, the US deployed the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to Busan for joint military exercises. Now, the USS Carl Vinson has arrived, accompanied by the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton and the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett. This is not an isolated move; rather, it is part of a larger effort to reassure allies and deter China’s expansionist ambitions.
While Trump has pushed for European nations to take more responsibility for their own defence, he has shown a willingness to deepen alliances in the Indo-Pacific. This reflects his administration’s belief that the greatest geopolitical challenge America faces is not in Ukraine or Europe but in the South China Sea.
North Korea’s Response
North Korea’s Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, threatened heightened provocations as a response to the deployment of the USS Carl Vinson in South Korea. She labelled the action as “confrontation hysteria” and issued a warning of strategic measures to counter the US military presence.
Kim blamed the Biden administration for ratcheting up tensions and defended North Korea’s nuclear development as a deterrent. She also attributed tensions in the region to the US-South Korea alliance. Experts believe Pyongyang could launch missile tests against US bases.
South Korea branded her words as “sophistry” intended to defend North Korea’s nuclear goals. Its Defense Ministry reasserted its preparedness to fend off any threat. With Kim Jong Un consolidating relationships with Russia, the chances of fresh US-North Korea talks remain in the air.
Trump’s insistence on keeping close relations with South Korea, in spite of its political instability, is further proof of his government’s focus on the Indo-Pacific. While he has been critical of European partners, even proposing that they pay more for their own defence, he has not taken out such a proposition with regard to South Korea. Rather, the US is stepping up its military activity in the region, solidifying partnerships against China.
A Strategic Shift
Under Biden, the US prioritized aiding Ukraine against Russian. Billions of dollars were sent to Kyiv, and NATO was strengthened to counter Moscow. However, Trump has been vocal about reducing US commitments to Ukraine. Trump believes that Europe should take more responsibility for its own security and has criticized NATO members for not spending enough on their own defence.
Instead of focusing on Russia, Trump has redirected military and diplomatic efforts towards the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines has emerged as a key US ally in countering China’s influence. Japan, too, has increased its military cooperation with the US. Taiwan, which faces constant threats from Beijing, has received strong reassurances from Washington. Australia is also playing a crucial role, especially with the AUKUS pact, which involves the US and the UK helping Australia develop nuclear-powered submarines. They are also engaged in QUAD.
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While North Korea continues to be a threat, and South Korea faces internal political struggles, the broader picture shows that Washington is firmly committed to countering China and keeping sure US continues its dominance in the high seas.