US defence chief looks to woo allies in Asian security forum debut

29/5/2025 16:28

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will try to convince Asian defence leaders this weekend that the United States is a more trusted partner for the region than China, U.S. officials told Reuters, as questions linger about the Trump administration's commitment to the region.



Hegseth, who has spent a large portion of his first months on the job focused on domestic issues, countering diversity, equity and inclusion in the military and taking aim at the press, will make his first extended remarks in Singapore on Saturday about how he envisions U.S. defence policy in the Indo-Pacific.



He will be addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security forum. Defence ministers, senior military and security officials and diplomats from around the world are expected to attend. French President Emmanuel Macron will deliver the keynote address on Friday.



"Secretary Hegseth is going to make the case to Asian allies about why the United States is a better partner than the CCP," said a senior U.S. defence official.



The official said Hegseth had the opportunity to take advantage of Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun's expected absence from the dialogue, where U.S. and Chinese delegates have locked horns in previous years.