What Hegseth’s comments at the Shangri-La Dialogue say about US foreign policy | Political news

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed key foreign policy issues for Washington at a defense summit in Singapore.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, Hegseth commented on America’s main rival, China, as well as Iran, NATO and Taiwan – a major point of contention between Washington and Beijing.

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The United States and Israel launched their war against Iran in late February, shaking global markets, triggering an energy crisis and causing shortages of critical U.S. munitions, including Terminal High Altitude Defense (THAAD) interceptors, which cost about $12 million each.

In a report released Wednesday, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said it would take two years – and in some cases more than three – to replenish four critical munitions widely used during the war.

Here are Hegseth’s most important comments.

China’s “historic military buildup”

Beijing is widely seen as Washington’s biggest geopolitical challenge, and Hegseth said he was alarmed by China’s growing military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

“There is legitimate concern about China’s historic military buildup and expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” Hegseth said.

Washington’s latest national defense strategy describes China as the second most powerful country in the world after the United States.

Hegseth used his speech to call on U.S. allies in the region to increase their defense spending in an attempt to offset China’s growing power.

The defense secretary, who said relations with Beijing were “better” than they had been for many years, warned that if action was not taken China would become the regional hegemon.

“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would disrupt the regional balance of power,” Hegseth said.

“No state, including China, can impose its hegemony and call into question the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies. »

“No change in our status”

Taiwan has improved its defense capabilities in response to concerns about a possible Chinese invasion. Taiwan, which has never officially declared independence from China, has operated as a de facto separate country since 1949, although Beijing considers the island its territory.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump visited China for talks with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, who considers Taiwan the most important issue in Sino-U.S. relations. Xi told Trump that “clashes, even conflicts” between the two countries could arise if the situation in Taiwan was mishandled.

Since then, Trump has warned Taipei against making any formal declaration of independence from China, prompting the island to issue a statement saying it was “sovereign and independent” but planned to maintain the status quo.

After the meeting, Trump said he was unsure whether to approve an arms sale to Taiwan worth up to $14 billion. On Saturday, Hegseth suggested that Washington’s commitment to Taiwan remained unchanged, but that Trump would ultimately decide whether the arms deal was finalized.

“Those decisions will depend on the president and the nature of that relationship. There has been no change in our status,” Hegseth said.

“We need partners”

Trump has long pressured his allies to increase their military budgets and become less dependent on American firepower under his America First doctrine.

Trump recently caused confusion among European allies after announcing he would deploy 5,000 additional troops to Poland, despite recently pledging to reduce the number of US troops on the continent.

It remains unclear whether the Poland deployment will include the same troops that the Pentagon said would no longer be stationed in Germany.

“The days of the United States subsidizing the defense of rich countries are over,” Hegseth said.

“We need partners, not protectorates. We can only have a strong alliance if everyone is involved in the game. No freeloading.”

Trump seeks ‘strong deal’

Hegseth also discussed Iran – a key issue for much of the world as well as the United States. Tehran and Washington are reportedly close to signing a memorandum of understanding to definitively end the war.

Hegseth, who played a key role in the US-Israeli war against Iran as defense secretary, warned that the US would resume attacks on Iran if a satisfactory deal was not reached.

His comments come as Washington seeks to reassure allies that the Strait of Hormuz – which Iran closed at the start of the war in an effort to deter US and Israeli attacks – will soon be reopened, helping to drive down energy prices. About 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passed through this crucial waterway before the conflict.

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