At the recent Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke about the future of the Pacific region. “It's ... a future that will be defined by our collective efforts to safeguard and secure our most vital national interests,” he affirmed.
The U.S. strategy consists of a return to realism. That means “we are charting a new course for our alliances and partnerships, one that is grounded in the realities of power and interests,” explained Secretary Hegseth. “It is a course that will leave America stronger, our allies and partners more capable, and the Pacific region more stable and secure.”
The foundation of this new approach is moving away from a model of dependency and toward one of true partnership. “Our partners in Asia have long understood that the bedrock of a durable partnership is not based on idealistic values, but on the concrete alignment of national interests,” said Secretary Hegseth. “When our interests align, we act together. ... When our interests diverge, we adjust pragmatically.”
This region has profound implications for U.S. security and prosperity. “It's why our national defense strategy directs the Department of War to set the military conditions required to achieve a lasting and favorable balance of power in the Pacific region,” noted Secretary Hegseth.
“When we look across the region today, there is rightful alarm regarding China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond. We share a clear-eyed assessment of that security environment and a mutual understanding that a Pacific dominated by any hegemony would unravel the regional balance of power,” said Secretary Hegseth.
“We do not approach this challenge with needless confrontation, but with a posture of measured and deliberate strength,” he said. The United States delivers “strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”
The United States seeks a balance of power in which no state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of the U.S. and its allies in question, said Secretary Hegseth.
The United States seeks peace, fair trade, and respectful relations with China. President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping engaged in direct discussions in Beijing that reinforced this foundation. They agreed that the United States and China should build a relationship based on fairness and reciprocity, reaffirming that while both nations will protect their respective interests, they can secure practical, mutually beneficial agreements where interests align.
“And while a decent peace is our goal,” said Secretary Hegseth, “make no mistake, America is a Pacific nation, and we insist that China respect our longstanding position in the region, and not just insist but maintain the manifest military strength to underwrite it.”
“Any potential opponent,” stressed Secretary Hegseth, “will be forced to judge [the United States] by our hard power, collective readiness, and steadfast resolve.”