"To counter Chinese aggression, the United States will always stand by its allies in the Asia-Pacific region" – Defense Secretary Hegseth

"To counter Chinese aggression, the United States will always stand by its allies in the Asia-Pacific region" – Defense Secretary Hegseth

Singapore, June 1, 2025:
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday reassured America’s allies in the Indo-Pacific region that they will never be left to face China’s growing military and economic pressure alone. He delivered his remarks at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.

Hegseth stated,

“China’s military is now conducting real-world war drills. We won’t sugarcoat it—this is a real threat, and it could escalate at any time.”

He particularly emphasized Beijing’s military operations around Taiwan, which the Pentagon sees as an immediate threat.

“China isn’t just preparing—it’s training every day to take Taiwan,” Hegseth warned.
He said the Chinese military drills encircling Taiwan are part of a "deliberate and goal-oriented plan."

China’s Counterreaction

China’s delegation leader, Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, dismissed Hegseth’s speech as “groundless accusations.”

“Many of the claims are false, some are distorted, and others are like a thief shouting ‘thief,’” he said.

China has reportedly set a goal to prepare for a Taiwan takeover by 2027, though military analysts often view this more as a political aspiration than a confirmed timeline.

Space Defense & the ‘Golden Dome’

In response to China's advancement in hypersonic and space technologies, Hegseth revealed that the U.S. is developing a “Golden Dome” space-based missile defense system.
President Trump has already approved a $25 billion budget for this initiative.

Economics vs. Defense

Hegseth warned that economic dependency on China not only increases Beijing’s influence over nations, but also complicates defense decisions.
He urged Indo-Pacific countries to spend at least 5% of their GDP on defense, similar to NATO expectations in Europe.

Europe’s Viewpoint & Caution

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas added,

“If China backs Russia and North Korea, then Europe’s and Asia’s security are inherently linked.”
She warned against the dangerous assumption that Europe can focus solely on its own security.

Message to Allies

Hegseth emphasized,

“The United States doesn’t want to act alone. Our true strategic strength lies in the powerful network of our allies.”
He called for a unified defense posture against China.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles welcomed Hegseth’s stance, saying:

“There can be no effective balance in this region without the United States.”

However, Marles also criticized the Trump administration’s high tariff policies, calling them “destabilizing.”

Hegseth responded by saying the tariffs were necessary to deal with the missile threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen and to combat illegal border crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Still, many fear that such decisions could undermine trust in America’s long-term commitments.

Hegseth made it clear:

“No country needs to adopt Western culture or climate policies to earn U.S. support. We are open to all—traditional allies and new partners alike.”