Hegseth tones down warnings about China in visit to region
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moderated his previous warnings about China during a visit to Singapore, emphasizing respect for China's ambitions while maintaining a firm stance on Taiwan. He highlighted the importance of a balanced power dynamic in the Pacific and the need for the U.S. to prepare for potential contingencies. Hegseth's remarks come after a recent meeting between U.S. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which aimed to foster a constructive relationship between the two nations.
- ▪Hegseth toned down his rhetoric on China during a defense conference in Singapore.
- ▪He stated that the U.S. respects China's ambitions but maintains its position on Taiwan.
- ▪Hegseth emphasized the need for a lasting balance of power in the Pacific.
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World Hegseth tones down warnings about China: "We respect their ambitions," but "position hasn't changed on Taiwan" May 30, 2026 / 8:13 AM EDT / CBS/AP Add CBS News on Google Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth toned down previous rhetoric calling China a threat in a visit to Singapore on Saturday, but told allies the region "has profound implications for U.S. security and prosperity."As the U.S. has done for decades, Hegseth tried to straddle the line between not angering Chinese leaders and still not ostracizing Taiwan. Unlike last year, Hegseth said the U.S.
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