U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth guarantees continued American backing for partners, asserting the nation's readiness to confront China's influence.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced assurances to Indo-Pacific allies on Saturday, asserting that they will not face China's escalating military and economic pressure alone, while urging contributions to their own defense. Hegseth stated that the U.S. will bolster its defenses abroad, addressing rapid threats perceived by the Pentagon from Beijing, particularly its assertive posture toward Taiwan. China has been conducting simulated blockade exercises to demonstrate its capacity regarding the self-governing island, which Beijing claims as its own territory and which Washington has pledged to protect.
In a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore, Hegseth characterized China's military actions as a real and potentially imminent threat to regional stability. "The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent," Hegseth stated. He added that China was rehearsing for the real deal, with its army actively preparing for a potential invasion of Taiwan.
In response, a Chinese official accused Hegseth of making unfounded accusations and questioned the veracity of some claims. Rear Adm. Hu Gangfeng, vice president of China's National Defense University, stated that certain allegations were invented, distorted facts, or fabricated, and that such actions served only to create conflict, sow discord, and destabilize the Asia-Pacific region.
Concerning China's stated goal of militarily taking Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027, Hegseth emphasized that China is no longer just building up its military forces to take Taiwan; it is actively training for it every day. Additionally, Hegseth highlighted China's ambitions in Latin America, particularly its efforts to exert influence over the Panama Canal.
Hegseth urged Indo-Pacific nations to increase defense spending to levels similar to the 5% of GDP that European nations are now expected to contribute. In response, the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, countered Hegseth's statement that European countries should concentrate their defense efforts within their own region, asserting that European and Asian security are interlinked due to the involvement of North Korean troops fighting for Russia and China's support for Moscow.
Hegseth reiterated a pledge to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific to provide a more robust deterrent. While previous administrations had also committed to shifting focus to the Pacific and establishing new military agreements throughout the region, a full shift has yet to materialize. The U.S.' military resources from the Indo-Pacific have regularly been pulled to address military needs in the Middle East and Europe, chiefly since the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. In the first few months of President Donald Trump's second term, this trend has persisted, with a Patriot missile defense battalion being withdrawn from the Indo-Pacific and sent to the Middle East, as well as Coast Guard ships being dispatched back to the U.S. to aid in defending the U.S.-Mexico border.
In response to questions regarding the U.S.' commitment to the Indo-Pacific, Hegseth did not directly answer but emphasized the necessity of allied and partner nations stepping up their defense spending and preparations. "A strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage," Hegseth stated. "China envies what we have together, and it sees what we can collectively bring to bear on defense, but it's up to all of us to ensure that we live up to that potential by investing."
Indo-Pacific nations maintain a delicate balance in their relationships with both the U.S. and China, fearing China's regional bullying, particularly regarding natural resources such as critical fisheries. Hegseth warned against playing both sides, seeking U.S. military support and Chinese economic support, as it carries risks. "Economic dependence on China only deepens their malign influence and complicates our defense decision space during times of tension," Hegseth stated.
Asked to address the potential conflict between his previous statement and Trump's threat of steep tariffs on many regional nations, Hegseth clarified that he was not concerned with trade matters. Illinois Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, attending the conference with a congressional delegation, objected to pressuring regional allies. "The United States is not asking people to choose between us and the PRC," Duckworth said, using an acronym for the People's Republic of China.
Australia's Defense Minister, Richard Marles, welcomed Hegseth's declaration that the Indo-Pacific was an American strategic priority and concurred that Australia and other nations needed to do their part. However, Marles suggested that the Trump administration's aggressive trade policies were counterproductive, stating that the shock and disruption from the high tariffs had been costly and destabilizing.
China opted to send a lower-level delegation to the conference, with its own defense minister absent due to Trump's erratic tariffs war. Hegseth stated that the U.S. delegation would capitalize on the snub, emphasizing the U.S.' continued commitment to the region. When asked about the U.S.' commitment to alliances like ASEAN if they had disagreements with Washington, Hegseth stated that the U.S. would not be limited by "the confines of how previous administrations looked at this region." Hegseth added that the U.S. was opening its arms to both traditional and non-traditional allies, without requiring them to align on cultural or climate issues.
[1] China will be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027, says Chinese military expert: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3073370/china-will-be-ready-invade-taiwan-2027-says-chinese-military-expert[2] China's military modernization: What we know: https://www.brookings.edu/research/chinas-military-modernization-what-we-know/[3] U.S. 'Golden Dome' missile defense concept to counter China, Russia: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-to-create-missile-defenses-counter-china-russia-space-2021-05-13/
- The escalating military and economic pressure from China, as well as China's stated goal of militarily taking Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027, have become a significant focus of political and general news discussions, raising concerns about the stability and security of the Indo-Pacific region.
- As business interests grapple with the potential impact of trade disputes and tariffs between the U.S. and China, the law surrounding international trade agreements and alliances becomes increasingly relevant, shaping the landscape for future economic activities in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The defense strategies of Indo-Pacific nations continue to evolve, with each country carefully balancing its relationships with both the U.S. and China, while seeking to mitigate their dependence on Chinese economic support and counter the rising threat posed by China's military actions.
