WASHINGTON: Patrick Shanahan, the acting US defense secretary, started hisfirst full day at the Pentagon’s helm Wednesday by telling colleagues hesees China as a key priority.
Shanahan, who took the top spot January 1 after Jim Mattis resigned amiddisagreements with President Donald Trump, told key Defense Departmentstaff to focus on the National Defense Strategy, a broad review thathighlights a new era of “Great Power competition” with Russia and China.
“While we are focused on ongoing operations, Acting Secretary Shanahan toldthe team to remember China, China, China,” a defense official said.
The US accuses Beijing of an ongoing pattern of military and economicespionage, and has criticised China’s ambitious “Belt and Road” trade andinfrastructure initiative as being a form of economic coercion.
“In 2019, the National Defense Strategy remains our guide. America’smilitary strength remains our focus,” Shanahan said in a New Year’s messageon Twitter.
The defense official said Shanahan would later Wednesday attend a cabinetmeeting with Trump, the president’s first of 2019.
Little known outside business and Washington circles, Shanahan takes theworld stage at a time of tumultuous changes and unpredictable foreignpolicy moves under Trump.
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Shanahan did not serve in the military but has worked since July 2017 asthe deputy defense secretary. Before that, he spent more than 30 years atBoeing.
Among the most immediate issues on his plate will be the pace at which theUS pulls 2,200 or so troops out of Syria, following Trump’s decision lastmonth to exit the war-torn country.
According to US officials, Trump is also mulling a 50 percent draw down inAfghanistan — another momentous move that has left lawmakers andinternational allies fearing for what comes next.
Shanahan announced that Pentagon comptroller David Norquist will performthe duties of deputy secretary of defense, the official said. – APP / AFP
