Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue: Hegseth aims to sway Asian allies amid Trump-era doubts

The US defence chief is expected to outline Washington’s Indo-Pacific security policy at the forum

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, on May 26. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Published: 9:25am, 29 May 2025

US 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, US officials said, 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 US defence policy in the Indo-Pacific.

He will be addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier security forum, which runs this year from May 31-June 1. 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 (Chinese Communist Party),” said a senior US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

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

Hegseth’s speech will be closely watched as it comes after US President Donald Trump has lashed out at traditional allies, most recently with tariffs.

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Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue: Hegseth aims to sway Asian allies amid Trump-era doubts

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The US defence chief is expected to outline Washington’s Indo-Pacific security policy at the forum

The US defence chief is expected to outline Washington’s Indo-Pacific security policy at the forum