NewsHail
01 Jun 2025
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says China could soon attack Taiwan. He asked Asian countries to spend more on defense and work with the US to stop a war.
He said the US does not want to rule China. But it will not leave Asia or let its friends be bullied. He spoke at a top defense meeting in Singapore.
China replied by calling the US the “biggest troublemaker” in Asia. Many people in Asia worry China may try to take Taiwan by force. Taiwan runs itself, but China says it owns the island. China has not said it won’t use force.
Hegseth said China wants to control Asia. He said China is readying its army to change the balance of power in the region. He also talked about a possible 2027 date when China might be ready to invade Taiwan. The US has said this before, but China has not confirmed it.
“China trains every day to do it,” said Hegseth. “If they try to take Taiwan, the results would be terrible for the whole world.”
He also said, “We don’t want war. We don’t want to fight China or change its leaders. But we won’t let China rule us or our allies.”
In response, China’s embassy in Singapore said Hegseth’s talk was full of lies. It said the US caused most of the problems in the region, like sending weapons and spying near Chinese islands.
The embassy added, “The US says it wants peace, but its actions bring fear. Let’s see what it really does next.”
China Sends a Small Team
China sent only a small group to the meeting in Singapore. It also canceled its planned speech. This event, the Shangri-La Dialogue, is usually a time for the US and China to talk to Asian countries.
This year, the US sent one of its biggest groups. China stayed mostly quiet.
“Deterrence Is Not Cheap”
To avoid war, Hegseth said the US wants a strong team with its allies. He said the US will keep helping friends and finding new ways to work together.
But he also said, “Deterrence is not cheap.” He asked Asian countries to spend more on defense, like Europe has started doing.
He praised countries like Estonia for spending more. He said countries in Asia face even bigger threats and should also step up. He said, “Be partners, not dependents.”
Hegseth promoted US weapons. He also spoke about a new defense group in the Indo-Pacific. It includes a radar repair center in Australia and help for making drones.
He warned Asian countries not to rely too much on China for trade. He said China could use that trade as a weapon.
Europe’s Role
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe also wants to help Asia. When asked about this, Hegseth said the US wants Europe to focus on its own area. That way, the US can focus on Asia.
China then asked what the US’s promise to Asia really means. It said the US keeps spending more on defense. “Will that come from the tariffs the US places on other countries?” China asked.
Trump’s “Common Sense” Plan
Hegseth said Trump’s plan is based on “common sense.” He said the US is not looking for enemies. He compared Trump to Singapore’s former leader, Lee Kuan Yew, known for being practical.
He said, “The US is not here to preach. We won’t push other countries to follow our values. We’re not here to talk about climate or culture. We don’t want to force our way on others.”
Senator Tammy Duckworth disagreed. She said the US should stand for human rights and world rules. She called Hegseth’s tone “patronizing.” She said, “We don’t need to be wrapped up by the US. We should work together.”
She said the US should not make countries pick between China and the US.
Support From US Delegates
Other US officials said Asian countries welcomed the message. They said people want peace and free movement in the seas. But they also feel China’s actions are scary.
Ian Chong, a China expert, said the US promise to protect the region was helpful. He said the US has long asked Asian allies like Japan and Taiwan to spend more. But now, the Trump team is pushing even harder.
Chong said, “Asian leaders will listen. But will they do what the US asks? That’s a different question.”
