Following J.D. Vance’s remarks at the Munich Security Conference in February, which were seen as critical of European democracies, Pete Hegseth’s address offered a more sensible approach.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a strong but carefully worded speech. He specifically called out “Communist China” for its “massive military build-up, … grey zone tactics, and hybrid warfare,” while also emphasizing the strength and importance of America’s alliances in the region and using the word “peace” 27 times.
“President Trump is a leader of peace, a man of peace, a force for peace,” Hegseth told the assembled defense and military leaders from the Asia-Pacific region at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. “And together, we will achieve that peace through strength.”
Hegseth repeatedly emphasized that the Indo-Pacific is “our priority theater.” In a contrast to Vance’s stance, he praised European nations for increasing their defense spending, suggesting that their Asian counterparts should follow suit. “It was quite surprising that he used Europe as a reference in terms of GDP [defense] spending,” said Micael Johansson, president and CEO of Saab. “But it was a good speech and more collaborative than I had expected.”
Hegseth outlined that American defense policy now prioritizes European security to Europeans, while the U.S. is focusing its strengthened military—supported by a $1 trillion defense budget next year, a 13% increase—on the Indo-Pacific. This involves enhancing America’s forward force deployment, assisting allies and partners in strengthening their security capabilities, and rebuilding defense industrial bases within friendly nations.
“A strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage,” Hegseth stated.
Hegseth also criticized China, accusing President Xi Jinping of ordering his military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. He warned that an attack on the self-governing island—separated from mainland China after the Chinese civil war—”could be imminent.”
These comments predictably drew criticism from Beijing, which issued a statement accusing Hegseth of “vilifying China with defamatory allegations” that were “filled with provocations and intended to sow discord.” Beijing also warned Washington against “playing with fire” on the Taiwan issue, calling it “entirely China’s internal affair.”
Notably, China’s defense minister did not attend the annual security summit, the first time since 2019. Admiral Dong Jun was rumored to be under investigation for corruption amid a purge of high-ranking PLA officers, although recent reports suggest he has been cleared.
The Chinese delegation present dismissed Hegseth’s accusations. “He used a very strong, harsh tone, which surprised me a little, and it’s unconstructive and hypocritical,” said Prof. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Tsinghua University. “Because the U.S. is imposing high tariffs on regional countries, so how can you expect them to partner with you against another economic power?”
The elephant in the room was Trump’s global trade war. When asked about the “reciprocal tariffs” imposed in April, Hegseth joked: “I am happily in the business of tanks, not trade, and I will leave that discussion to the man who knows how to do it best.”
The key takeaway for the attendees was that while Hegseth’s commitment to the region and its allies was generally well-received, it was tempered by the unpredictable nature of the president he serves. Hegseth acknowledged this, stating: “My job is to create and maintain decision space for President Trump, not to purport to make decisions on his behalf.”
Delegates in Singapore were well aware that power is heavily concentrated in one individual, whose inconsistent policies— before ; before ; hiking and pausing tariffs—have led to skepticism and the impression that American promises are unreliable.
“I’m quite sure it’s just talk,” one European delegate said of Hegseth’s speech. A Bangladeshi military officer concurred: “It still feels like Trump is a more inward-looking than global President.”
