Hegseth says US will bolster defenses overseas to support Indo-Pacific allies against China
Share this @internewscast.com

On Saturday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Indo-Pacific allies that the U.S. supports them against the growing military and economic pressures from China, while urging them to contribute more to their own defense.

Hegseth stated that the U.S. would enhance its overseas defenses to counter what the Pentagon sees as rapidly evolving threats from China, especially towards Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own. China has conducted various exercises to simulate a blockade of the island.

The Chinese army “is rehearsing for the real deal,” Hegseth remarked in a keynote speech at a security conference in Singapore. “We are not going to sugarcoat it — the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.”

Pete Hegseth

Hegseth said the Chinese army “is rehearsing for the real deal” and the threat it poses could be imminent. (AP)

In his speech, Hegseth called out China’s ambitions in Latin America, specifically attempts to increase influence over the Panama Canal.

He also urged countries in the region to increase their defense spending to be in line with the percentage of gross domestic product that European nations are being pressed to contribute.

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

Hegseth

China has said it wants its military to be in a position to take Taiwan by force if necessary by 2027. (AP)

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, pushed back against Hegseth after his speech for a comment he made about European countries putting focus on defending their own region while the U.S. mostly handles the Indo-Pacific.

Kallas said European and Asian security are “very much interlinked” at the moment as North Korean troops are fighting for Russia and China is supporting Moscow.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Video still of a protestor appearing to fire a gun at agents.

Stunning Incident: Protester Allegedly Shoots at Officer During California ICE Raid on Cannabis Farm; FBI Offers $50k Reward for Information

A MASKED protester opened fire on federal agents during a tense immigration…
Illegal immigrant convicted of shooting at small-town officer in high-speed chase

Undocumented Immigrant Found Guilty of Firing at Rural Police Officer During High-Speed Pursuit

A small-town traffic stop turned into a deadly confrontation when an illegal…
Woman in hospital bed recovering from dog attack.

Woman, 55, Attacked by Dogs While Delivering Uber Eats Order – Dogs Grabbed Her Head

A GRAN was left seriously injured after being mauled by two dogs…
Chicago crime: Lontray Clark charged with murder, arson after 4 killed in West Side apartment fire on North Avenue, police say

Chicago Crime: Lontray Clark Faces Murder and Arson Charges in Fatal West Side Apartment Fire on North Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — A suspect is facing multiple charges after four people…
Man wrestling a crocodile.

Outrage as Influencer Colton Macaulay Recklessly Confronts Dangerous Crocodile in Viral Stunt

THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc,…
Aryna Sabalenka recalls testy Wimbledon exchange with Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka Reflects on Tense Wimbledon Moment with Amanda Anisimova

Aryna Sabalenka is expanding on her perspective following a tense moment Thursday…
Group of friends celebrating with sparklers and drinks at night.

Secret Drones Could Lead to $100k Fines for July 4 Celebrations in America

AMERICANS could be slapped with fines up to $100,000 depending on how…
Police investigating death of Maine paddleboarder as a homicide after discovery of body

Maine Paddleboarder’s Death Now Being Investigated as a Homicide After Body is Found

UNION, Maine — Police in Maine are investigating the death of a…
Nigel Farage on a boat, pointing towards a distant ship.

Farage Criticizes Macron’s Migrant Agreement, Claims It Pulls the UK Back Towards the EU

NIGEL Farage last night blasted Emmanuel Macron for blaming the small boats…

Tragic Loss: TikTok Influencer Aldo Miranda, 32, Discovered Dead at His Residence; Last Emotional Post Surfaces

TIKTOK star Aldo Miranda has died at 32 after sharing a devastating…
Therapist sitting in front of hyperbaric chambers.

Therapist, 43, Tragically Perishes in Fiery Blaze Inside Oxygen Chamber After Sudden Fire at His Clinic

A PHYSICAL therapist has been burned alive inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber…
Boeing settles with Paul Njoroge, man whose wife, 3 children died in 737 Max crash in Ethiopia in 2019, averting trial in Chicago

Boeing Reaches Settlement with Paul Njoroge, Man Who Lost Family in 2019 Ethiopian 737 Max Crash, Avoids Chicago Trial

Boeing has reached a settlement with a Canadian man named Paul Njoroge,…