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.