Michael G. DeSombre, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific on 26 June that the Trump administration is deepening cooperation with India through the Quad and actively working to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from China as core pillars of its America First Indo-Pacific strategy. DeSombre described the region as being of 'vital strategic importance' to the United States, signalling continuity of strategic intent even as the administration reframes its foreign policy posture.

Key Commitments on the Indo-Pacific

'Our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific is unwavering,' DeSombre told lawmakers. He outlined Washington's approach as one rooted in 'strengthening alliances and deepening relations with the Quad and trilateral cooperation with Japan, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines, and through our key partnerships such as AUKUS.'

DeSombre said the administration was focused on preserving peace across the Taiwan Strait, protecting freedom of navigation, strengthening maritime law enforcement, and reducing dependence on China for critical minerals. On Taiwan, he was explicit: 'Our long standing policy on Taiwan has not changed,' adding that it remained guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three joint communiques, and the six assurances.

India's Role in the Quad

Ranking Member Ami Bera underlined India's centrality in the grouping, saying the country played a 'critical role' in the region through the Quad — the four-nation security dialogue comprising the United States, Japan, Australia, and India. DeSombre said Washington was advancing new cooperation within the Quad, implementing a vision laid out by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Quad counterparts in New Delhi across 'critical minerals, maritime security, infrastructure development, energy security and emerging technologies.'

China Concerns: South China Sea and Rare Earths

Subcommittee chair Representative Young Kim said the United States must work with allies to defend freedom of navigation and uphold international law in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of attempting to dominate international waters beyond the Taiwan question. DeSombre described Chinese activities in the South China Sea as of 'utmost concern,' adding that Washington was working with allies along the first island chain to ensure deterrence and maintain stability.

Representative Joaquin Castro raised concerns about China's coercive use of rare earth minerals against Japan and other countries. DeSombre said Washington was 'laser focused' on removing that dependency from the United States and its allies.

Critical Minerals and Vietnam's Emerging Role

DeSombre highlighted Vietnam as a country with significant mineral resources, noting that many deposits remain unmapped. He said the United States hoped to assist Vietnam in identifying its critical mineral reserves and integrating it into a supply chain 'that doesn't run through China.' This comes amid broader US efforts to build a parallel critical minerals ecosystem spanning allied and partner nations across Asia and beyond.

Notably, this hearing reflects the third consecutive congressional review of Indo-Pacific strategy since the start of the Trump administration's second term, underscoring sustained legislative attention on China competition. With Quad ministerial-level coordination already underway and critical mineral diplomacy accelerating, the next visible milestone will be the formal Quad Leaders' Summit expected later this year.