US Defense Secretary softens stance on China, sparks alliance tensions

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth adopts conciliatory tone toward China at Singapore security summit, sparking debate over US strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth described US-China relations as "better than they have been in many years" under President Donald Trump, praising stability while warning of Beijing’s "rapid military expansion." His remarks, delivered on Sunday, marked a shift from previous US rhetoric, emphasizing cooperation over confrontation. "We seek a stable, predictable relationship with China," Hegseth said, according to *The Wall Street Journal* .

The defense secretary’s softened stance drew criticism from allies, particularly in Europe, where officials questioned Washington’s commitment to countering Chinese influence. *Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung* reported Hegseth "irritated" partners by praising Asian nations while chastising Europe for insufficient defense contributions . Meanwhile, *taz* noted Hegseth’s "friendly" approach toward Beijing contrasted with his demands for greater burden-sharing from regional allies, including Japan and the Philippines .

Hegseth’s comments came as China escalated military activity near Taiwan, deploying patrols east of the island in response to Japan-Philippine maritime border talks. Tokyo, which plans to transfer decommissioned destroyers and surveillance aircraft to Manila, rejected Beijing’s accusations of "militarism," with Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi defending Japan’s "stronger defense policy" as necessary for regional stability, *Digi24* reported .

The US defense chief also called for deeper cooperation with Asian allies to "secure a balance against China," urging partners to invest more in their own defense capabilities. His appeal followed Japan’s defense minister’s call for direct talks with Beijing to resolve tensions, as reported in the *Financial Times* . Hegseth’s Singapore speech avoided direct mention of Taiwan, a move *Negocios* described as handing Beijing a "diplomatic victory" .

The divergent approaches—Hegseth’s diplomatic overtures versus China’s military posturing—highlight the fragile equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts suggest the US strategy may aim to reassure Beijing while pressuring allies to assume greater responsibility, though critics warn it risks emboldening Chinese assertiveness. With Japan and the Philippines deepening their strategic partnership and China expanding patrols near Taiwan, the region remains a flashpoint for great-power competition.