SINGAPORE May 29, 2026 — U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a firm message on Indo-Pacific strategy Saturday at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, emphasizing that America must negotiate from a position of overwhelming military superiority while maintaining open communication channels with China to prevent miscalculation.
In remarks focused on the Trump administration’s approach to regional security, Hegseth told delegates that ensuring presidential negotiations are backed by “unquestionable strength” remains essential for sustaining peace in the Pacific and globally.
“To ensure our military might preserves stability, we will pair it with clarity of intent, which is why we are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts,” Hegseth said. “By maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication, we can coordinate, deconflict, and reduce the risk of miscalculation.”
He explicitly rejected interpretations of such engagement as weakness. “This dialogue is not a sign of capitulation in either direction, but a practical guardrail — ensuring the relationship our leaders seek at the top is preserved at every level,” Hegseth added.
The speech aligns with broader themes in Hegseth’s address, including calls for U.S. allies and partners to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and shoulder more responsibility for regional security, moving away from over-reliance on American power.
Hegseth arrived in Singapore on May 29 and held bilateral meetings, including with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, as well as engagements highlighting partnerships with nations like Vietnam.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense summit hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, brings together senior officials, military leaders, and experts amid ongoing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, including concerns over Taiwan, South China Sea disputes, and broader U.S.-China competition.
Hegseth’s comments come as the U.S. continues to balance deterrence with pragmatic diplomacy in the region. Full video of his plenary session is available via official channels.
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