We have to do more as a maritime nation: New Zealand Defence Minister
Judith Collins, New Zealand's Minister of Defence, outlines the country's plan to double defense spending to 2% of GDP over the next eight years. She joins Squawk Box Asia on the sidelines of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2025.
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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Pete Hegseth warns of ‘devastating consequences' if China tries to conquer Taiwan — how to protect yourself
Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a stark warning to America's allies in Asia. Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore — an annual security summit attended by ministers, military officials and business leaders — Hegseth identified China as a growing military threat to the region. 'There's no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,' he said in his first address at the forum. Hegseth focused his warning on Beijing's stance toward Taiwan, making the stakes clear for the broader region. 'To be clear: any attempt by Communist China to conquer Taiwan by force would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,' he said. He added that Beijing is 'credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.' While Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. is not seeking conflict — noting President Donald Trump's 'immense respect' for the Chinese people and their civilization — he made it clear that Washington's resolve is unwavering. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) 'We will not be pushed out of this critical region, and we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated,' he said. Hegseth also called on America's allies to step up their own military readiness, saying: 'U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific can and should quickly upgrade their own defenses.' In response, China's representative at the summit accused Hegseth of making 'groundless accusations.' 'Some of the claims are completely fabricated, some distort facts and some are cases of a thief crying 'stop thief,'' said Rear Admiral Hu Gangfeng, vice president of China's National Defense University. 'These actions are nothing more than attempts to provoke trouble, incite division and stir up confrontation to destabilize the Asia-Pacific region.' While Hegseth's warning focuses on geopolitical security, tensions between major powers of the world can also carry serious financial implications. Markets tend to react swiftly to military escalations or diplomatic shocks — and investors who aren't prepared could be left exposed. Here's a look at three ways to help shield your finances amid rising global uncertainty. In times of uncertainty, few assets shine like gold — and investors are taking notice. Unlike fiat currencies, gold can't be printed at will by central banks. It's not tied to any one government or economy, making it a powerful hedge against inflation, geopolitical instability and financial system shocks. That's why during periods of turmoil — from wars to rising deficits — investors often flock to the yellow metal, pushing prices higher. Lately, gold has lived up to its reputation. Over the past 12 months, the price of the precious metal has surged by more than 40%. Ray Dalio, founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, recently highlighted gold's importance as part of a resilient portfolio. 'People don't have, typically, an adequate amount of gold in their portfolio,' he told CNBC in February. 'When bad times come, gold is a very effective diversifier.' One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of Priority Gold. Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account, thereby combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those looking to help shield their retirement funds against economic uncertainties. When you make a qualifying purchase with Priority Gold, you can receive up to $10,000 in silver for free. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Hegseth has called on America's Indo-Pacific allies to ramp up their military spending — a move that aligns with the U.S.'s own aggressive defense budget. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the U.S. spent $997 billion on defense in 2024 — more than the next nine countries combined, including China. Periods of heightened geopolitical tension often coincide with increased military spending. For defense contractors, that can mean a surge in business — and for investors, it presents a potential opportunity. Defense stocks tend to gain attention when global risks rise. Companies like Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), RTX (NYSE:RTX) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) are among the biggest players in the industry. For broader exposure, investors can also consider ETFs like the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (BATS:ITA), which provides diversified exposure to the sector. Like stocks, real estate prices can fluctuate. But unlike many other assets, real estate doesn't rely on a booming market to deliver returns. High-quality, income-generating properties — especially those serving essential needs — can continue to produce rental income, even during times of economic or geopolitical uncertainty. That means you don't have to rely on price appreciation to see a payoff — the asset itself can work for you. Even the current U.S. commander in chief has long recognized the value of real estate. In a 2011 interview with Steve Forbes, Trump said, 'I just notice that when you have that right piece of property, whatever it might be, including location, it tends to work well in good times and in bad times.' Traditionally, investing in real estate meant buying property and becoming a landlord. But for everyday investors who want to avoid the need for a hefty down payment or the burden of property management, crowdfunding platforms like Arrived offer an easier way to get exposure to this income-generating asset class. Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants. The process is simple: Browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares you'd like to purchase, and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment. Another option is Homeshares, which gives accredited investors access to the $35 trillion U.S. home equity market — a space that's historically been the exclusive playground of institutional investors. With a minimum investment of $25,000, investors can gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund — without the headaches of buying, owning or managing property. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 14% to 17%, this approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in owner-occupied residential properties across regional markets. Access to this $22.5 trillion asset class has traditionally been limited to elite investors — until now. Here's how to become the landlord of Walmart or Whole Foods without lifting a finger Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among America's wealthiest — plus a few strategies to build that first-class portfolio This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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6 days ago
- CNBC
Lotte Retail Group CEO on U.S. tariff threat and impact on its business strategy
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Time Magazine
02-06-2025
- Time Magazine
Pete Hegseth Talked a Big Game to Indo-Pacific Allies—but Trump Mistrust Runs Deep
Against the backdrop of U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance's jaw-dropping polemic against European democracies at February's Munich Security Conference, this was a welcome return to sense, if not sanity. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a powerful though measured speech at Singapore's IISS Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday, pointedly calling out 'Communist China' for its 'massive military build-up, … grey zone tactics, and hybrid warfare,' while also hailing the strength and importance of America's regional alliances and using the word 'peace' 27 times. 'President Trump is a leader of peace, a man of peace, a force for peace,' Hegseth told the scores of Asia-Pacific defense and military chiefs crammed into the ballroom at Singapore's Shangri-La Hotel. 'And together, we will achieve that peace through strength.' Hegseth repeatedly called the Indo-Pacific 'our priority theater' and, in a marked departure from Vance, actually praised European nations for hiking defense spending as an example that their Asian counterparts should emulate. 'It was quite surprising that he used Europe as a reference in terms of GDP [defense] spending,' Micael Johansson, president and CEO of the Swedish arms manufacturer Saab, told TIME. 'But it was a good speech and more collaborative than I had expected.' As Hegseth described it, American defense policy was now that Europe's security would be left to Europeans, while the U.S. was focusing its rebuilt military might—augmented by a $1 trillion defense spend next year, a 13% year-on-year rise—on the Indo-Pacific. This would focus on boosting America's forward force deployment, helping allies and partners strengthen their security capabilities, and rebuilding defense industrial bases including within friendly nations. 'A strong, resolute, and capable network of allies and partners is our key strategic advantage,' said Hegseth. Hegseth also unleashed several broadsides against China, accusing strongman President Xi Jinping of having 'ordered his military to be capable of invading Taiwan by 2027,' with the former Fox News anchor warning that an assault on the self-ruling island—which politically split from the mainland following China's 1945–49 civil war—'could be imminent.' These remarks drew the inevitable rebuke from Beijing, which issued a statement saying Hegseth 'vilified China with defamatory allegations' that were 'filled with provocations and intended to sow discord.' Beijing also warned that Washington 'must never play with fire on [the Taiwan] question,' which is 'entirely China's internal affair.' Notably, China's defense minister stayed away from the annual security summit for the first time since 2019. Admiral Dong Jun was rumored to have been under a corruption investigation amid a sweeping purge of high-ranking PLA officers, though latest reports suggest that he's been cleared. The Chinese delegation that did attend treated Hegseth's accusations with scorn. 'He used a very strong, harsh tone, which surprised me a little, and it's unconstructive and hypocritical,' says Prof. Da Wei, director of the Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS) at Beijing's Tsinghua University. 'Because the U.S. is imposing high tariffs on regional countries, so how can you expect them to partner with you against another economic power?' Indeed, Trump's internecine global trade war was the glaring elephant in the room. Asked about the 'reciprocal tariffs' imposed in April, Hegseth joked: 'I am happily in the business of tanks, not trade, and I will leave that discussion to the man who knows how to do it best.' Which was the ultimate takeaway for the brass hats present. Hegseth's statement of commitment to the region and working with allies was broadly welcomed but hedged by the chaotic approach of the guy he reports to. Indeed, Hegseth showed his hand when he admitted: 'My job is to create and maintain decision space for President Trump, not to purport to make decisions on his behalf.' Delegates in Singapore were only too aware that today, more than during any other U.S. administration, power rests with just one man, whose constant policy flip-flops— embarrassing Zelensky before lambasting Putin; ripping up one Iranian nuclear deal before seeking another; hiking and pausing tariffs—have conjured a bevy of TACO, 'or Trump always chickens out,' memes as well as the impression that American words have never been cheaper. 'I'm quite sure it's just talk,' one European delegate said of Hegseth's speech. A Bangladeshi military officer agreed: 'It still feels like Trump is a more inward-looking than global President.'
