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Pentagon Chief Warns U.S. Ready to ‘Fight and Win’ Against China if Deterrence Fails
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning on Saturday, declaring that the United States is prepared to “fight and win” against China if deterrence efforts fail. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue defense summit in Singapore, Hegseth emphasized the need for stronger military cooperation and increased defense spending among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Amid growing global conflict — including Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and the violence in Gaza — Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to reinforcing its defense posture across the Indo-Pacific. He notably called out the absence of China’s defense minister, stating, “We are here this morning. Somebody else isn’t.”
Hegseth urged regional leaders to respond decisively to China’s growing military assertiveness in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.
“China has made clear it seeks to fundamentally change the region’s status quo,” Hegseth said. “We cannot look away, and we must not ignore it. Their actions are a wake-up call — and an urgent one.”
He called on U.S. allies and partners to contribute more to collective defense, stating:
“We ask — and insist — that our allies do their part. Our defense budgets must reflect today’s threats. Deterrence isn’t cheap.”
This pointed message comes as U.S.-China tensions continue to rise — not just militarily, but economically. Hopes for easing trade friction have faded following a brief tariff truce earlier this month. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently acknowledged that trade negotiations are stalled, suggesting they may require intervention at the highest political levels.
The Pentagon chief also condemned China’s activities in the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of violating sovereignty and threatening freedom of navigation. He warned that China’s increasing military presence near Taiwan is a deliberate attempt to escalate pressure on the island.
In a notable expansion of the security conversation, Hegseth pledged that the U.S. would also push back against China’s influence closer to home — specifically in the Panama Canal.
“That is key terrain. China didn’t build that canal — we did. We will not allow them to weaponize or control it.”
The remarks follow an aggressive statement from China in March, where officials claimed the country is ready to fight “any type of war” with the U.S. amid escalating tensions under President Donald Trump. In a public post, the Chinese Embassy in Washington stated:
“If war is what the U.S. wants — whether it’s trade, tariffs, or otherwise — we’re ready to fight till the end.”