Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a blunt warning to Indo-Pacific allies Saturday that China poses an "imminent" threat to regional stability, while pledging continued American support against Beijing's growing military pressure. Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth declared that China's military is "rehearsing for the real deal" in preparation for a potential invasion of Taiwan[1][2].
The remarks underscore the Trump administration's efforts to reassure nervous allies while maintaining pressure on Beijing amid escalating tensions over trade, technology and territorial disputes that have reshaped the strategic landscape across the region.
Warning of Chinese Aggression
Hegseth told defense leaders from across the Indo-Pacific that Beijing is "credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power" in the region[1][10]. He cited China's numerous military exercises simulating a blockade of Taiwan and its construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea to support new military outposts[2].
"We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent," Hegseth said, while emphasizing that Washington will bolster its overseas defenses[1][2]. The defense secretary also highlighted China's ambitions in Latin America, particularly its efforts to increase influence over the Panama Canal[2].
However, Hegseth insisted that allies must contribute more to their own defense, referencing European nations being asked to commit 5 percent of GDP to defense spending[11].
Chinese Pushback and Regional Balancing
China's delegation head, Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, accused Hegseth of making "groundless accusations," calling some claims "completely fabricated" and dismissing the remarks as attempts to "provoke trouble" and "destabilize the Asia-Pacific region"[1].
The exchange reflects the delicate position of regional nations caught between their largest trading partner and primary security guarantor. Hegseth cautioned against this balancing act, warning that "economic dependence on China only deepens their malign influence and complicates our defense decision space during times of tension"[1].
Senator Tammy Duckworth, part of a congressional delegation attending the conference, pushed back on any suggestion the US was forcing allies to choose sides. "The United States is not asking people to choose between us and the PRC," she said[4][16].
Broader Strategic Competition
The warnings come as the Trump administration has imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods and regional partners alike, creating uncertainty about American commitment to the region[17]. Recent months have seen China's President Xi Jinping visiting Southeast Asian nations hit by US tariffs, positioning Beijing as a bulwark against protectionism[17].
"Economic dependence on China only deepens their malign influence," Hegseth said, encapsulating the strategic dilemma facing the region[1].
Citations:
[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-hegseth-reassures-allies-us-will-support-them-pressure-china/
[2] https://www.foxnews.com/world/hegseth-says-us-bolster-defenses-overseas-support-indo-pacific-allies-against-threat-china
[3] https://www.npr.org/2025/05/31/nx-s1-5414180/shangri-la-dialogue
[4] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/threat-china-poses-is-real-us-defence-secretary-pete-hegseth-warns-indo-pacific-allies-of-imminent-risks/articleshow/121535465.cms
[5] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3312561/shangri-la-dialogue-pete-hegseth-warns-china-aims-alter-indo-pacific-status-quo
[6] https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/north-east-asia/china-united-states/347-asia-flux-us-china-and-search-new-equilibrium
[7] https://behorizon.org/asia-on-the-horizon/
[8] https://www.max-security.com/resources/global-forecast/china-us-relations-2025/
[9] https://perryworldhouse.upenn.edu/news-and-insight/treaty-withdrawals-and-security-realignments-potential-impact-of-u-s-disengagement-in-asia/
[10] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hegseth-reassures-allies-us-support-chinese-aggression/story?id=122362466
[11] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-wont-leave-indo-pacific-alone-against-china-says-hegseth/articleshow/121529207.cms
[12] https://www.arabnews.com/node/2602828/world
[13] https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/01/the-indo-pacific-what-you-need-to-know-now.html
[14] https://www.china-briefing.com/news/us-china-relations-in-the-trump-2-0-implications/
[15] https://www.307bw.afrc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4165967/chinas-military-buildup-threatens-indo-pacific-region-security/
[16] https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/international/2025/05/31/hegseth-imminent-threat-china-taiwan
[17] https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/05/are-americas-indo-pacific-friends-flirting-with-china.html
[18] https://bowergroupasia.com/indo-pacific-forecast-h2-2025/
[19] https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4202504/hegseth-outlines-us-vision-for-indo-pacific-addresses-china-threat/
[20] https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/4202494/remarks-by-secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-at-the-2025-shangri-la-dialogue-in/
[21] https://www.toledoblade.com/news/World/2025/05/30/hegseth-says-us-stand-indo-pacific-allies-against-imminent-threat-china/stories/20250530150
[22] https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/05/31/us-will-stand-by-indo-pacific-allies-against-imminent-threat-of-china/
[23] https://www.fpri.org/article/2025/03/strengthening-us-alliances-in-the-indo-pacific/
[24] https://www.csis.org/events/2025-csis-csds-transatlantic-dialogue-indo-pacific
[25] https://www.csis.org/analysis/shared-threats-indo-pacific-alliances-and-burden-sharing-todays-geopolitical-environment
[26] https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/2404551/9-the-indo-pacific-competitive-space-chinas-vision-and-the-postworld-war-ii-ame/
[27] https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR4412z5.html