U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Singapore on Thursday for the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security forum that brings together world leaders and top defense officials to discuss pressing global issues.
Hegseth’s attendance marks his first time at the Shangri-La Dialogue, hosted by the International Institute for Security Studies. The forum takes place against a backdrop of heightened rhetoric between Beijing and Washington due to past threats of triple-digit tariffs on China by the Trump administration.
Key Points
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The U.S. is pursuing a "free and open Indo-Pacific" policy, which includes:
- Regularly sailing warships through the Taiwan Strait to maintain stability in the region.
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In contrast, European nations have adopted a more economics-driven approach to regional issues but continue to participate in freedom-of-navigation exercises. For example:
- France sent a carrier strike group on a five-month mission through Indo-Pacific waters last month.
Upcoming Addresses
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French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address these issues during his keynote speech at the conference on Friday night. He will likely discuss:
- Pressure from heavy tariffs announced by Trump’s administration affecting Asian allies.
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Macron’s speech follows an announcement from Biden’s administration imposing 32% tariff rates on certain products imported into the U.S. from Taiwan amid ongoing trade tensions over semiconductor industry concerns.
Tensions with China
- Chinese President Xi Jinping has not ruled out using force to take control over Taiwan, which is known internationally as a self-governing democracy. This stance is accompanied by:
- Increased military aircraft and ship activity near Taiwan as part of a campaign of daily harassment against Taipei.
Before departing for Singapore, Hegseth told reporters that Washington’s policies were meant to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, stating:
"We seek no conflict with anybody including Communist Chinese. We will stay strong; our interests are a big part of what this trip is about."
The Shangri-La Dialogue occurs amidst growing tensions between Beijing and Washington over various regional issues, including China’s assertiveness and Russia’s war on Ukraine.
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