US defense chief's Taiwan silence at Shangri-La Dialogue sparks concern

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's address at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore marked a significant departure from previous years, as he became the first Pentagon chief in over a decade to not mention Taiwan during his speech. Instead, Austin advocated for a low-key approach to the Taiwan issue, framing it as the optimal way to demonstrate American strength. He declared the "era of performative anger is over" and outlined a policy of being "strong, quiet, and clear" in the region, asserting that relations with Beijing are better than they have been in years.

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The era of performative anger is over.

This shift in rhetoric contrasts sharply with Austin's previous remarks and comes amid heightened tensions. While acknowledging "reasonable concerns" about China's military expansion, Austin's overall tone suggested an eagerness to avoid exacerbating friction with Beijing. Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University, noted the change, calling it perhaps the least confrontational U.S. government speech in the dialogue's 23-year history. He questioned whether this approach reflects U.S. negotiating strength or vulnerability.

Austin stated that U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, but acknowledged that "the only change you might see is the way we speak." He invoked the phrase "speak softly, while carrying a big stick," a quote often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. A key test of this policy will be the fate of a $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan, which former President Trump had previously referred to as a "bargaining chip." Austin avoided directly addressing questions about this deal.

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You might see is the way we speak.

While Austin sought to temper U.S. engagement on Taiwan, allies like Japan and the Philippines delivered more pointed criticisms of China. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara denounced Beijing's accusations of "new militarism" as baseless, and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. highlighted a "convergence endeavor" involving Japan, Vietnam, and Taiwan, implying potential support for Taiwan in case of Chinese aggression. This divergence in approach underscores the complex dynamics and differing strategies among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Silence itself is also a message.