During the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighted the strengthening of defense ties with Asian allies, praising countries like South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines for their proactive stances. In contrast, he criticized European nations for their defense shortcomings, stating they had 'hollowed out' their militaries. Notably, Hegseth did not mention Taiwan, a critical issue in US-China relations, which marked a significant change from previous Pentagon addresses. His remarks on the US-China relationship included the phrase 'constructive strategic stability,' suggesting a possible softening of the US stance toward China. Hegseth expressed a desire for improved communication with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who was absent from the forum. He also addressed the delayed $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, asserting that US military readiness remains strong. The discourse reflects the Trump administration's pivot towards the Indo-Pacific while reassessing its commitments to NATO and European allies, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and concerns over military support in Europe.