US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific of Washington’s continued commitment to regional security, while adopting a more measured tone on China during his address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Speaking before world leaders, diplomats and senior defense officials, Hegseth emphasized the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific to US security and economic interests. He said Washington’s goal remains to maintain a stable and favorable balance of power across the region.
The remarks marked a contrast to his speech at last year’s forum, where he warned of growing military threats from China and accused Beijing of actively preparing for a potential move against Taiwan.
This year’s conference comes shortly after US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping. Following the talks, Trump described Xi as a “great leader” and expressed optimism about future relations between the two countries.
Reflecting the more conciliatory atmosphere, Hegseth said Trump and Xi had agreed to pursue a constructive and stable relationship based on fairness and mutual respect while safeguarding their respective national interests.
Despite the softer rhetoric, Hegseth stressed that the United States remains determined to prevent any single power from dominating the Indo-Pacific. He pointed to concerns over China’s expanding military capabilities and growing regional activities, saying many countries share concerns about preserving the current balance of power.
US Senator Tammy Duckworth, attending the conference as part of a congressional delegation, criticized the Trump administration’s approach toward China. She expressed concern that Washington could be weakening its commitments in the Indo-Pacific while aligning too closely with Beijing.
Questions have also emerged over US support for Taiwan after Trump described a proposed $14 billion arms package for the self-governed island as a potential bargaining tool in negotiations with China. Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control.
Hegseth reiterated that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged but declined to comment on the future of the arms package, saying any decision would ultimately rest with President Trump.
The defense secretary also renewed calls for US allies to increase defense spending, arguing that Washington seeks strong partners rather than nations dependent on American protection. He praised several Asian countries for boosting military investments and suggested some European allies could learn from Asia’s pragmatic approach to security cooperation.