The United States has involved itself South China Sea disputes despite having no claim to any territory in the region. It has also not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Since 2014, US warships and military aircraft have intruded in Chinese waters and airspace on multiple occasions in the name of Freedom of Navigation.

The US seeks permanent military presence in the West Pacific. It carries out multiple military drills throughout the year with its allies in the region. It has also been encouraging ASEAN, which used to focus mainly on trade issues, to engage in a range of defense and military issues.