The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Pacific allies of ongoing U.S. commitment, even as he tempered previous remarks labeling China as a threat. Addressing dignitaries, diplomats, and top security officials at the Shangri-La defense conference in Singapore, Hegseth stressed the region’s significance for U.S. security and prosperity. The focus, he said, is to maintain a lasting favorable balance of power in the Pacific.

This marked his second address at the forum, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Last year, his comments on the Chinese threat, particularly regarding Taiwan, angered Beijing. He noted at the time that China was enhancing its military capabilities to take Taiwan and was training for it daily.

This year, the conference followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Trump described Xi as a ‘great leader’ and anticipated a ‘fantastic future together.’ Hegseth, who accompanied Trump, mentioned an agreement on maintaining a constructive, equal, and reciprocal strategic stability between the two countries.

Despite this, Hegseth emphasized that preventing Chinese dominance in the Indo-Pacific remains a U.S. priority. He acknowledged valid concerns about China’s military growth and activity expansion in and beyond the region.

Hegseth said, “We share a clear assessment of the security environment and a mutual understanding that a Pacific dominated by any hegemony would disrupt regional power balance and undermine stability.” A few hours later, Chinese Major General Meng Xiangqing praised Hegseth’s remarks about the Trump-Xi meeting, stating their consensus should guide U.S.-China relations for years to come.

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, part of a Congressional delegation at the conference, accused the Trump administration of “getting too close” to China. She expressed concern over potential distraction from U.S. commitments in the Indo-Pacific.

Following the Trump-Xi meetings, uncertainty arose regarding Washington’s readiness to defend Taiwan. Trump indicated that a $14 billion arms sale package, still pending authorization, could be a ‘negotiation card with China.’ China claims Taiwan, and Xi hasn’t ruled out using force to take it. The U.S. is legally obliged to ensure Taiwan can defend itself, maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity regarding military intervention if China attacks the island.

Hegseth assured there were no changes regarding Taiwan but didn’t comment on the arms agreement. He stated, “Any future arms sale decisions for Taiwan, as the president noted, will be his choice.”

Hegseth advocated for increased defense spending by allies, declaring, “We need partners, not protectorates.” He commended several Asian countries for their efforts while critiquing unnamed European allies as distracted by ‘globalist rhetoric on a rules-based international order.’ “Our Asian partners have understood for a long time that a lasting partnership relies on concrete national interests alignment,” he said.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, whose country Hegseth praised for boosting military spending, emphasized commitment to renewing the rules-based international order. “Rules give smaller states agency,” Marles explained, pointing out the adverse outcomes when power prevails over the rule of law.

In an event outside the conference, Hegseth, Marles, and UK Defense Secretary John Healey announced a new initiative within the AUKUS pact, focusing on developing advanced underwater drone capabilities.

“Together we are producing a range of cutting-edge sensors or weapon systems for underwater drones,” Healey stated, noting the aim to detect threats, including to undersea cables and pipelines.