City-state and Australia support Hegseth's proposal while the 'Squad' holds inaugural meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, speaks with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., ahead of his meeting with ASEAN defense chiefs in Cebu, Philippines, on Oct. 28. © Reuters CEBU, Philippines -- The U.S. is seeking deeper defense engagement with ASEAN, as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth proposed a new cooperation framework with the bloc, expecting formal discussions to start next year.