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Hegseth tones down China rhetoric on return to Asia
🇨🇳 China /Conflict & Security

Hegseth tones down China rhetoric on return to Asia

From South China Morning Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth adopted a less confrontational stance towards China at a Singapore security conference.
  • Hegseth stated that U.S.-China relations are currently better than they have been in years and that the Trump administration seeks stable peace and fair trade with China.
  • This shift in tone contrasts with his more strident rhetoric at the same event the previous year.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signaled a significant shift in rhetoric regarding China during his appearance at Asia's largest security conference. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth described U.S.-China relations as "better than they've been in many years," a marked departure from the more confrontational tone he adopted a year prior.

"President Trump and this administration seek a stable peace, fair trade and respectful relations with China," Hegseth stated on Saturday. He further indicated that both countries have agreed to "build a constructive relationship of strategic..."

President Trump and this administration seek a stable peace, fair trade and respectful relations with China.

— Pete HegsethDuring his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

This more conciliatory approach suggests a potential recalibration of U.S. policy towards China, emphasizing stability and mutual respect over direct confrontation. The specific details of the "constructive relationship" remain to be elaborated, but the change in Hegseth's public statements indicates a willingness to de-escalate tensions.

U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told Asia’s biggest military conference that his country’s relations with China were “better than they’ve been in many years”.

— South China Morning PostReporting on Hegseth's remarks at the conference.
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Originally published by South China Morning Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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