Elbridge Colby, under-secretary of defense for policy, has led a diplomatic push to secure operational commitments from Japan and Australia in the event of a conflict over Taiwan. While U.S. officials say the move is part of strengthening deterrence, both Tokyo and Canberra were reportedly caught off guard.

“These conversations are meant to accelerate and balance collective defense,” a U.S. defense official said. “But we do not seek war or domination of China—we’re trying to ensure our strength supports diplomacy.”

Despite these assurances, the request has been viewed as disproportionate, especially since President Trump has not explicitly committed to defending Taiwan, and maintains a policy of ambiguity that makes definitive planning difficult for allies.

Frustration Grows In Tokyo And Canberra

Japanese officials noted that decisions would depend on “individual and specific circumstances,” referencing constitutional and legal constraints. Canberra declined to publicly comment. Internally, there was reportedly a “collective raising of eyebrows” among officials across allied governments.

The push comes amid broader tensions, including Colby’s review of the AUKUS submarine pact and calls for Europe to reduce its Indo-Pacific focus. Colby’s efforts have at times strained alliances, such as when Japan canceled a ministerial meeting after abrupt demands for more defense spending.

While the U.S. continues to push for increased military readiness, some allies view the approach as unilateral and inconsistent, especially given that the Trump administration has itself been ambiguous about American intentions in similar crises.