Pete Hegseth urges Asia to boost defence against China’s ‘imminent’ threat to Taiwan
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Pentagon chief warns of imminent China threat, asks Asian allies to spend more on defence
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday that the threat from China was real and potentially imminent as he pushed allies in the Indo-Pacific to spend more on their own defence needs. “There’s no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” he said. China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to “reunify” with the democratic and separately governed island, by force if necessary. China has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims, including increasing the intensity of war games around Taiwan. China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun has decided to skip the major Asian security forum in Singapore and Beijing has sent only an academic delegation. The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, underlined that the region was a priority for the Trump administration. It was the first time that Heg seth had acknowledged that European countries were stepping up their defence spending. In February, he warned Europe against treating America like a “sucker”
Speech could cause consternation among allies
Pentagon chief has blasted European allies in past for not spending enough
SINGAPORE, May 31 (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Saturday that the threat from China was real and potentially imminent as he pushed allies in the Indo-Pacific to spend more on their own defence needs.
Hegseth, speaking for the first time at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats, underlined that the Indo-Pacific region was a priority for the Trump administration.
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“There’s no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” Hegseth said, in some of his strongest comments on the Communist nation since he took office in January. He added that any attempt by China to conquer Taiwan “would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world”, and echoed Trump’s comment that China will not invade Taiwan on the president’s watch.
China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to “reunify” with the democratic and separately governed island, by force if necessary. It has stepped up military and political pressure to assert those claims, including increasing the intensity of war games around Taiwan.
Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.
“It has to be clear to all that Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific,” Hegseth said.
China said the comments “were steeped in provocations and instigation”.
“Mr. Hegseth repeatedly smeared and attacked China and relentlessly played up the so-called ‘China threat’,” the Chinese embassy in Singapore said on its Facebook page. “As a matter of fact, the U.S. itself is the biggest ‘troublemaker’ for regional peace and stability.”
Hegseth’s comments on allies needing to increase spending is likely to cause consternation amongst partners, even though experts said he faced a relatively friendly audience in Singapore. China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun has decided to skip the major Asian security forum and Beijing has sent only an academic delegation.
Hegseth has previously taken aim at allies in Europe for not spending more on their own defence. In February, he warned Europe against treating America like a “sucker” while addressing a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
On Friday, while delivering the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, French President Emmanuel Macron said Hegseth was justified in asking Europe to increase its own defence spending.
EUROPE STEPPING UP
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, May 31, 2025. REUTERS/Edgar Su Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab
“It’s hard to believe, a little bit, after some trips to Europe that I’m saying this, but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to countries in Europe as a new found example,” Hegseth said.
“NATO members are pledging to spend 5% of their GDP on defence, even Germany. So it doesn’t make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies in Asia spend less on defence in the face of an even more formidable threat, not to mention North Korea.”
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said it was important to have Hegseth acknowledge that European countries were stepping up.
“It was for me maybe the first time or one of the first times I heard the U.S administration acknowledge this explicitly,” Brekelmans said, referring to Hegseth’s comments.
U.S. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is co-leading a bi-partisan delegation to the Shangri-la Dialogue, said it was noteworthy that Hegseth emphasised that the United States was committed to the region, but his language on allies was not helpful.
“I thought it was patronising of our friends in the Indo-Pacific in particular,” Duckworth said.
Spending on weapons and research is spiking among some Asian countries as they respond to a darkening security outlook by broadening their outside industrial partnerships while trying to boost their own defence industries, according to a new study by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, the organisation that runs the Shangri-La Dialogue.
The spike comes even as Asian nations spent an average of 1.5% of GDP on defence in 2024, a figure that has kept relatively constant over the last decade, it said.
Hegseth suggested that allies in Europe focus on security on the European continent, so that Washington could focus on the threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific, alongside more participation by allies in Asia.
“We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent, so that as we partner there, which we will continue to do, we’re able to use our comparative advantage as an Indo-Pacific nation to support our partners here,” he said in response to a question after his speech.
Hegseth, a former Fox TV host who has spent much of his first months in office focused on domestic issues, spoke to the international audience on topics that he has frequently talked about when in the United States, like “restoring the warrior ethos.”
“We are not here to pressure other countries to embrace or adopt our politics or ideology. We are not here to preach to you about climate change or cultural issues,” Hegseth said. “We respect you, your traditions and your militaries. And we want to work with you where our shared interests align.”
Reporting by Idrees Ali. Additional reporting by Jun Yuan Yong and Fanny Potkin; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Shri Navaratnam
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Pentagon Chief Warns of ‘Imminent’ China Threat, Urges Asia Allies to Boost Defense Spending
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Asian allies to sharply increase defense spending in the face of growing military threats in the Indo-Pacific. His remarks come amid Beijing’s military expansion in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, including frequent air and naval operations intended to pressure the self-governed island. The Chinese Embassy in Singapore denounced Heg seth’s statements as “steeped in provocations and instigation,” calling the U.S., “the biggest troublemaker for regional peace and stability” The Pentagon chief also criticized the absence of China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun, stating, “We are here this morning. Somebody else isn’t”Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, attending the forum as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation, criticized Heg Seth’s tone.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Saturday that the United States is prepared to “fight and win” against China if deterrence fails, while calling on Asian allies to sharply increase defense spending in the face of growing military threats in the Indo-Pacific. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth delivered one of the most forceful warnings yet from the Trump administration, describing China as an imminent and destabilizing danger.
“There’s no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” Hegseth said. He warned that any attempt by China to seize Taiwan would “result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.”
Hegseth’s remarks come amid Beijing’s military expansion in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, including frequent air and naval operations intended to pressure the self-governed island. Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims, and the U.S. has long supported Taiwan with arms sales and diplomatic backing.
The Pentagon chief criticized the absence of China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun, stating, “We are here this morning. Somebody else isn’t.” Beijing sent a lower-level delegation led by Major General Hu Gangfeng, marking the first time since 2019 its top military official has skipped the summit.
“China has demonstrated that it wants to fundamentally alter the region’s status quo. We cannot look away and we cannot ignore it,” said Hegseth. “Our defense spending must reflect the dangers and threats that we face today, because deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap.”
He also accused China of attempting to expand influence closer to U.S. territory. “China did not build that canal. We did, and we will not allow China to weaponize it or control it,” Hegseth said, referring to the Panama Canal.
While pushing for increased military coordination, Hegseth also praised European allies for committing to raise defense spending. “NATO members are pledging to spend 5% of their GDP on defense, even Germany,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies in Asia spend less on defense in the face of an even more formidable threat.”
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, defense spending among Asian countries averaged just 1.5% of GDP in 2024, a figure largely unchanged for a decade.
Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, attending the forum as part of a bipartisan congressional delegation, criticized Hegseth’s tone. “I thought it was patronizing of our friends in the Indo-Pacific in particular,” she said.
Still, Hegseth doubled down on Washington’s priority. “We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent… so that we’re able to use our comparative advantage as an Indo-Pacific nation to support our partners here.”
As China ramps up pressure on Taiwan, the U.S. plans to authorize weapons packages exceeding $18.3 billion, surpassing those approved during the Biden administration. The new aid focuses on low-cost deterrents including drones, munitions, and missile systems.
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In response, the Chinese Embassy in Singapore denounced Hegseth’s statements as “steeped in provocations and instigation,” calling the U.S. “the biggest troublemaker for regional peace and stability.”
Pentagon chief says China prepping military for Taiwan invasion, warns of devastating consequences in Asia
Pentagon chief says China prepping military for Taiwan invasion, warns of devastating consequences in Asia. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, warned that China poses an “imminent” threat to Taiwan. Urged Asian countries to increase defence spending and deepen cooperation with the US to deter conflict. China has yet to respond to Heg seth’s comments on Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out seizing by force. But China has sent a low-level delegation and cancelled its scheduled speech for Sunday.
Singapore:
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a stark warning about an “imminent” threat posed by China to Taiwan, calling on Asian nations to increase defence spending and strengthen cooperation with the United States to deter conflict.
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Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a prominent annual defence summit in Singapore, Hegseth clarified that while the US does not aim to “dominate or strangle China,” it will not be forced out of Asia or allow its allies to be threatened.
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His remarks come amid growing concern across the region about the possibility of instability should China move to invade Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own and has not ruled out seizing by force.
China has yet to respond to Hegseth’s comments on Taiwan.
China preparing to invade Taiwan: US
In his speech, Hegseth portrayed China as seeking regional dominance, accusing it of aiming to become a “hegemonic power” intent on controlling large parts of Asia.
He pointed to China’s territorial disputes in the South China Sea as evidence of its aggressive posture.
Basis of Pete Hegseth’s remarks
He warned that China is “credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power” in the region, citing a 2027 deadline that US officials believe President Xi Jinping has set for China’s military to be capable of invading Taiwan.
This timeline has been widely discussed by US defence officials, though it has never been officially confirmed by Beijing.
“China is building the military to do it, training for it every day, and rehearsing for the real deal,” Hegseth said.
“Let me be clear: any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world. There’s no need to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent. We hope it isn’t, but it certainly could be.”
The Shangri-La Dialogue often serves as a platform for both the US and China to present their strategic positions to regional leaders. However, while the US has sent one of its largest delegations to the summit this year, China has sent only a low-level delegation and cancelled its scheduled speech for Sunday.
US urges allies to boost defence amid China threat to Taiwan
U.S. Defence Secretary: China poses a real and potentially threat to Taiwan. China accused of trying to provoke trouble in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mr Hegseth also urged America’s Asian allies to increase their defence spending, echoing the demand he made of European allies earlier this year.
John Healey, the UK defence secretary, says he expects spending on national defence to reach 3% of GDP by the end of the next parliament.
Credits: Reporter: Jonathan Rugman, Producer: Suzanne Lentini, Picture Editor: Matt Michael
China poses ‘imminent’ threat to Taiwan, warns US Defence Secretary
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked for renewed cooperation between the US and Asian nations, including India. He said that China poses an ‘imminent’ threat to Taiwan. He urged the Asian countries to boost their defence spending and work with the US to deter war. The Shangri-la Dialogue has traditionally served as a platform for the U.S. and China to make their pitches to Asian countries as the superpowers jostle for influence. China reacted by saying the speech was “steeped in provocations and instigation”, and added that the US was the primary troublemaker, nudging itself into regional issues that does not concern it. The US does not seek war with China, “..but we must ensure that China cannot dominate us or our allies and partners,” he said, adding “we will not be pushed out of this critical region”. The speech was held at the Shangri.la Dialogue in Singapore, which attracts some of Asia’s most influential politicians, military officials, and geopolitical analysts.
Speaking at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, which attracts some of Asia’s most influential politicians, military officials, and geopolitical analysts, he urged the Asian countries to boost their defence spending and work with the US to deter war.
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The Shangri-la Dialogue has traditionally served as a platform for the US and China to make their pitches to Asian countries as the superpowers jostle for influence.
He stressed that the Indo-Pacific remained America’s top priority, while emphasising that key partners like India would be most important to keep the conflict in check.
He explained that India would be an important cog in the US’s push to defend Taiwan, and control Chinese hegemony, saying that India is a valuable partner that has done several deals and cooperation mechanisms with the US.
India’s support
Outlining plans for closer cooperation with regional partners, including India, Hegseth said, “We will continue to wrap our arms around our friends and find new ways to work together. Not only our treaty allies, but also our key defence partners in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and across the Indo-Pacific. For example, look no further than to our growing defence relationship with India, where we pass new milestones by the day — from shared ventures of our defence industries to the increased operational coordination and interoperability between our two militaries.”
He also mentioned the continuous work done between US and India on autonomous systems.
But at the end of the day, Hegseth emphasised that Asian countries do their part, increase defence spending and help the US defend the Indo-Pacific region from Chinese hegemony.
‘Will not be intimidated’
While the US does not “seek to dominate or strangle China”, it would not be pushed out of Asia nor allow its allies to be intimidated, Hegseth said.
He said Beijing was “credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power” in Asia, and referred to a 2027 deadline that President Xi Jinping has allegedly given for China’s military to be capable of invading Taiwan.
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China “is building the military needed to do it, training for it, every day and rehearsing for the real deal”, Hegseth said.
He also forcefully remarked that the US does not seek war with China, “..but we must ensure that China cannot dominate us or our allies and partners,” he said, adding “we will not be pushed out of this critical region”.
China reacts
In response, the Chinese embassy in Singapore posted a note on its Facebook page saying the speech was “steeped in provocations and instigation”, and added that the US was the primary troublemaker, nudging itself into regional issues that does not concern it.
Examples it cited included the US “deploying offensive weapons” in the South China Sea and conducting reconnaissance of what the embassy called “Chinese islands and reefs”.
Ramp up defence spending
To prevent war, the US wants “a strong shield of deterrence” forged with allies, said Hegseth, who promised the US would “continue to wrap our arms around our friends and find new ways to work together”.
But he stressed “deterrence does not come cheap” and urged Asian countries to ramp up their defence spending, pointing to Europe as an example.
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US President Donald Trump had already put forward his demand for Western allies and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), to increase their defence spending to at least 5 per cent of their GDP.
This has allowed Hegseth to ask the Asian partners to do the same, saying, “How can it make sense for countries in Europe to do that while key allies and partners in Asia spend less in the face of a more formidable threat?” he said regarding China.
No economic ties with China
Hegseth also went on to warn Asian countries against seeking economic ties with China, saying Beijing would use it as “leverage” to deepen its “malign influence”, complicating US defence decisions.
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China’s response criticised the US’s approach to Europe, saying “The US keeps expanding its already staggering defence expenditure. Will the expanded portion come from tariffs it imposes on other countries?” referring to Trump’s global tariffs, which have shaken up the world economic order and sparked concern among US allies.