Nominees say U.S. message to partners should stress sovereignty, choice and opportunity

At a Senate confirmation hearing, a panel of nominees was asked what message they would deliver to partner nations about why they should align with the United States rather than with China. The questioner prefaced the query with an anecdote from Afghanistan, saying that practical improvements alone may not be "a message to die for."

Mister Towson said he would tell the people of Nepal that U.S. support centers on "their sovereignty, about their territorial integrity, and about their ability to make decisions for themselves about their future, and the prosperity of their nation." He framed that commitment as a contrast to regional messaging from other powers.

An unnamed nominee responding about Thailand said they would emphasize "Freedom, democracy, human rights" and underscored that U.S. engagement is more than government-to-government ties: it is a "tapestry" of relationships that includes business and nongovernmental organizations, and that the nominee would listen to what Thai citizens want.

Mister Abraham said he would convey to ASEAN countries a message "centered in our shared commitment to a free and open Indo Pacific," stressing solidarity with their aspirations for sovereignty and territorial integrity and a durable U.S. commitment.

Mister Bongan told Mongolians that democracies must "stand shoulder to shoulder," that the United States wants Mongolia to prosper and make sovereign decisions without coercion, and that the U.S. aims to help build strong, open-market systems.

Mister Moore said the U.S. remains committed to Pacific Island nations "to help them sustain their sovereignty, maintain their territorial integrity, achieve sustainable economic development, and help them preserve their ability to make choices in the best interest of their people," adding, "We are their neighbor. We are their partner."

The exchange centered on public diplomacy and competing models of influence; nominees emphasized themes of sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic values and economic opportunity while also saying they would listen to local priorities. The hearing moved on after brief acknowledgments from the senator.