Trump sends Hegseth to lecture Xi; POTUS unable to face China post Taiwan threat?

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore to sharpen criticism of China’s regional ambitions while avoiding detailed commitments on Taiwan. Hegseth warned against what he described as Beijing’s growing influence across the Indo-Pacific and emphasized the need for stronger alliances, greater defense spending, and deeper regional cooperation. While Taiwan remained one of the most closely watched issues at the forum, the Pentagon chief focused largely on broader strategic competition with China rather than outlining specific U.S. intervention plans. The remarks came as tensions continue over the Taiwan Strait and as questions persist about Washington’s long-term policy toward Taipei. Meanwhile, Xi Jinping has repeatedly warned against foreign interference in Taiwan, keeping the issue at the center of U.S.-China strategic rivalry.