Pete Hegseth: US will go to war to stop China from taking Taiwan
[Source]
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. would take military action to stop China from invading Taiwan, outlining a defense policy that shifts strategic focus from Europe to Asia to deter what he called 'an imminent threat' from Beijing.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday, Hegseth said the Trump administration is prioritizing the Indo-Pacific region as part of its effort to counter China's growing military influence.
Indo-Pacific defense pivot
'President Trump has said that Communist China will not invade Taiwan on his watch,' Hegseth said. 'So, our goal is to prevent war … and we will do this with a strong shield of deterrence … But if deterrence fails, and if called upon by my commander-in-chief, we are prepared to do what the Department of Defense does best – fight and win — decisively.
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Hegseth accused China of building up military capabilities at high speed and training regularly for an invasion of Taiwan. He cited intelligence that President Xi Jinping has directed the People's Liberation Army to be ready for such an operation by 2027. He warned that any attempt to forcibly take Taiwan would have severe consequences for regional and global security.
China fires back
Chinese officials at the forum reiterated Beijing's position on Taiwan, emphasizing that any attempt to separate the island from China would be met with firm opposition. Rear Adm. Hu Gangfeng, vice president of China's National Defense University, dismissed U.S. accusations, calling them 'attempts to provoke trouble, incite division and stir up confrontation to destabilize the Asia-Pacific region.'
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In a separate statement on Sunday, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Hegseth's remarks had 'vilified China with defamatory allegations.' The ministry warned that the U.S. 'should not play with fire' on the Taiwan issue.
'Hegseth's remarks were filled with provocations and intended to sow division. China deplores and firmly opposes them and has protested strongly to the U.S.,' the ministry said.
Defense spending
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At the summit, Hegseth further called on Indo-Pacific allies to significantly increase their defense budgets, suggesting targets of up to 5% of GDP. He emphasized the need for regional militaries to match China's rapid modernization and deter potential aggression. He also warned against economic dependence on China, arguing it leaves countries vulnerable to coercion.
Citing NATO's defense spending benchmarks, Hegseth urged partners to follow suit in Asia. The U.S. has reportedly asked Australia to raise its defense budget to 3.5% of GDP. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded that Australia would determine its own course, pointing to a 10 billion Australian dollars ($6.46 billion) military investment and a target of 2.4% by 2033–34.
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