Speaking to Indo-Pacific allies on Saturday, the Defense Secretary assured them of U.S. support against China’s growing military and economic influence. He also emphasized the importance of these allies increasing their own defense contributions.

Hegseth stated that the U.S. will strengthen its overseas defenses to address what the Pentagon perceives as rapidly escalating threats from China, particularly towards Taiwan, which China claims as its territory. China has been conducting exercises simulating a blockade of Taiwan.

Hegseth, in a keynote address at a Singapore security conference, asserted that China is “rehearsing for the real deal.” He added, “We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.”

China has stated its goal to have its military capable of taking Taiwan by force, if necessary, by 2027.

According to Hegseth on Saturday, China is not just building up its military to potentially seize Taiwan, but is “actively training for it, every day.”

China has not only constructed artificial islands in the South China Sea to support new military installations but has also developed advanced hypersonic and space technologies, leading the U.S. to initiate the creation of its own.

During his address, Hegseth highlighted China’s ambitions in Latin America, specifically its attempts to increase its control over the Panama Canal.

He also encouraged countries in the region to raise their defense spending to match the GDP percentage that European nations are being urged to contribute.

“We must all do our part,” Hegseth urged.

Following Hegseth’s speech, the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, challenged his remark about European countries focusing on defending their own region while the U.S. primarily handles the Indo-Pacific.

Kallas argued that European and U.S. security are “very much interlinked” currently, given that North Korean troops are fighting for Russia and China is supporting Moscow.

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