US Defense Secretary Advocates Quiet Approach on Taiwan at Shangri-La Dialogue
Hegseth seeks to convince allies U.S. should stay quiet on Taiwan

Image: Fortune
At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized a 'quiet' policy towards Taiwan, marking a shift from previous confrontational rhetoric. His remarks come amidst growing tensions with China, while allies like Japan and the Philippines voiced stronger criticisms of Beijing's military posture.
- 01Hegseth became the first US Defense Secretary in over a decade to avoid mentioning Taiwan during his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
- 02He characterized the US approach as 'strong, quiet and clear,' contrasting sharply with previous aggressive stances.
- 03Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro made pointed remarks against China, highlighting regional concerns.
- 04Despite a softer tone, Hegseth's reference to Theodore Roosevelt's 'big stick' policy raised concerns about potential interventionism.
- 05Taiwan's recent $25 billion military budget to purchase US weapons was not acknowledged by Hegseth, which some analysts viewed as a missed opportunity.
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During the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth advocated for a more subdued approach regarding Taiwan, suggesting that silence could project American strength. This marked a notable departure from previous administrations' more confrontational rhetoric, as Hegseth did not mention Taiwan at all during his 30-minute address. He described US-China relations as 'better than they’ve been in many years' and emphasized a 'strong, quiet and clear' policy. This softer stance comes in the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping's warnings about potential conflicts over Taiwan. While Hegseth praised Asian allies for increasing their defense spending, he faced criticism from Japanese and Philippine officials who openly challenged China's military threats. Hegseth's remarks have sparked debate about whether this new approach reflects US strength or vulnerability. Furthermore, the omission of Taiwan's significant military budget aimed at purchasing US arms was seen as a missed opportunity to reinforce US commitment to the region. Overall, the dialogue highlighted the delicate balance the US seeks to maintain in its relations with both allies and adversaries in the Indo-Pacific.
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The US's quieter approach towards Taiwan may affect regional security dynamics and military spending among US allies in Asia.
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