At the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth conspicuously avoided mentioning Taiwan during his 30-minute speech, marking the first time in over a decade that a Pentagon chief has done so at the forum. Hegseth emphasized a policy of being 'strong, quiet, and clear' in the Indo-Pacific region, declaring that 'the era of performative outrage is over.'
Dissonance with Regional Allies
Hegseth’s softer tone on China contrasts sharply with his address a year ago, where he took a more confrontational stance. While he praised almost every Asian country for boosting defense spending and expressed 'rightful alarm' at China’s military buildup, his speech largely sidestepped tensions with Beijing. This approach comes weeks after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned former President Donald Trump that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to 'clashes' between the superpowers.
'This was perhaps the least confronting speech from a US administration in the 23-year history of the Shangri-La Dialogue,' said Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at the Australian National University.
Testing the 'Big Stick' Approach
Speaking to reporters after the event, Hegseth clarified that US policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged but acknowledged that the shift is in 'how we talk.' He invoked Theodore Roosevelt’s famous phrase, 'Speak softly and carry a big stick,' to describe the new approach. However, this strategy faces a major test with the stalled $14 billion arms package for Taiwan, which Trump referred to as a 'bargaining chip' after meeting with Xi.
Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo noted that Hegseth’s speech emphasized 'safeguarding peace and stability' in the Indo-Pacific, adding that Taiwan and the US would maintain close exchanges. Meanwhile, Beijing continues to isolate Taiwan’s leadership, pressuring African countries to deny President Lai Ching-te access to their airspace.
The quieter US approach drew mixed reactions. While Chinese delegates praised Hegseth’s moderate tone, some, like Da Wei of Tsinghua University, expressed wariness over the 'big stick' reference, calling it a 'distinct coloring of interventionism.' As regional countries weigh their own security interests, Hegseth’s new diplomatic strategy leaves questions about whether it reflects American strength or vulnerability in the face of China’s growing influence.