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Defense Secretary Hegseth Advocates 'Quiet' Defense Strategy in Asia Post-Trump China Visit

Defense Secretary Hegseth Advocates 'Quiet' Defense Strategy in Asia Post-Trump China Visit

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has called for a 'quiet' approach to security cooperation in the Asia Pacific, following President Trump's recent visit to China. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogues in Singapore, Hegseth emphasized improved U.S.-China relations, describing them as better than in recent years. This marks a shift from his previous hawkish stance on China, as he refrained from mentioning Taiwan, a contentious issue with Beijing. Hegseth's remarks come amid ongoing U.S. military engagements in Latin America and the Middle East, and reflect a strategic pivot towards more subdued diplomatic communications. The speech has drawn criticism from some U.S. lawmakers, who express concern over the perceived downgrading of the Indo-Pacific's importance in U.S. national security policy.
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Pentagon chief sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

Pentagon chief sounds 'alarm' over China's buildup, urges allies to boost defence spend

By Gregor Stuart Hunter, Rae Wee and Jun Yuan Yong SINGAPORE, May 30 (Reuters) - U.S.
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Pentagon chief urges allies to boost defence spending amid 'alarm' over China's buildup

Pentagon chief urges allies to boost defence spending amid 'alarm' over China's buildup

By Gregor Stuart Hunter, Rae Wee and Jun Yuan Yong SINGAPORE, May 30 (Reuters) - U.S.
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Hegseth reassures Pacific allies as he softens China 'threat' rhetoric

Hegseth reassures Pacific allies as he softens China 'threat' rhetoric

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Pacific allies Saturday that Washington remains committed to the region while softening past comments that described China as an imminent threat
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US castigates Europe over defence spend as NATO reassures Asia

US castigates Europe over defence spend as NATO reassures Asia

By Gregor Stuart Hunter, Rae Wee and Jun Yuan Yong SINGAPORE, May 31 (Reuters) - The United States fired a fresh broadside at its NATO allies in Singapore over the weekend but Western European officials insisted the grouping remains resilient. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, U.S.
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Hegseth tones down warnings about China but says US remains committed to Pacific security

Hegseth tones down warnings about China but says US remains committed to Pacific security

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Pacific allies Saturday that Washington remains committed to the region while softening past comments that described China as an imminent threat
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U.S. Congress Reaffirms Support for Taiwan Amid President Trump's Remarks on Arms Sales

U.S. Congress Reaffirms Support for Taiwan Amid President Trump's Remarks on Arms Sales

Members of the U.S. Congress have reiterated their strong bipartisan support for Taiwan, emphasizing the importance of the island's security and defense capabilities. This comes in the wake of President Trump's comments suggesting that the $14 billion in arms sales to Taiwan could be used as a 'negotiating chip' with China. At the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Senator Tammy Duckworth and other congressional representatives highlighted the progress made in supporting Taiwan's self-defense. Despite President Trump's remarks, Congress remains committed to Taiwan's security, with weapons sales approved in a bipartisan manner. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth did not mention Taiwan in his speech, but Representative Michael Baumgartner downplayed the omission, asserting that the status quo includes Taiwan.
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U.S. Congress Reaffirms Support for Taiwan Amidst Trump's Negotiation Remarks

U.S. Congress Reaffirms Support for Taiwan Amidst Trump's Negotiation Remarks

Members of the U.S. Congress have reaffirmed their support for Taiwan, despite President Trump's comments suggesting that arms sales to the island could be used as a 'negotiating chip' with China. This statement was made during the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where U.S. delegates emphasized the bipartisan nature of their commitment to Taiwan's security. The $14 billion in arms sales, approved by Congress, is seen as a critical component of Taiwan's defense strategy against potential threats from China.
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Philippines remains under threat from China despite Trump-Xi summit, minister says

Philippines remains under threat from China despite Trump-Xi summit, minister says

By Raju Gopalakrishnan SINGAPORE, May 30 (Reuters) - The Philippines remains under "severe threat" from China, its defence minister said on Saturday, despite a recent thaw in U.S.-China tensions after the summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping earlier this month.
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Analysis-The great Indo-Pacific hedge - deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends

Analysis-The great Indo-Pacific hedge - deeper defence ties as US doubts grow and China ascends

By Raju Gopalakrishnan and Greg Torode SINGAPORE, May 31 (Reuters) - Caught between China's rapid military rise and growing doubts about the U.S. focus on a region it has long dominated, Indo-Pacific nations are racing to arm themselves, and each other.
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President Trump's Call with Taiwanese President Delayed Amidst Tensions with China

President Trump's Call with Taiwanese President Delayed Amidst Tensions with China

President Trump has postponed a planned call with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, as reported by CBS News. This decision comes ahead of a potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States. During a recent visit to China, President Trump was cautioned by Xi about the sensitive nature of Taiwan, which China views as a breakaway province. Trump had previously indicated he might speak with Lai before deciding on a new arms sale to Taiwan, a move that has historically been sensitive due to U.S.-China relations. The last direct communication between a sitting U.S. president and a Taiwanese leader was in 1979, although Trump did receive a call from then-President Tsai Ying-wen in 2016. The Chinese government has expressed strong opposition to any official exchanges between the U.S. and Taiwan, as well as to U.S. arms sales to the island.
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China's low-key presence at Asia defence forum a lost opportunity, Australia says

China's low-key presence at Asia defence forum a lost opportunity, Australia says

By Raju Gopalakrishnan SINGAPORE, May 29 (Reuters) - China's decision to send only academics to Asia's biggest defence forum is a missed opportunity at a moment when countries need more "strategic reassurance" from Beijing, Australia's defence minister said on Friday.