Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth departed Washington for Singapore to participate in an annual Asian security summit and engage with defense counterparts. "We’re going out to Singapore to hold a series of meetings to ensure that region understands America will be strong," Hegseth stated before boarding his flight at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.
During this trip, his second official visit to the Indo-Pacific region, Hegseth is scheduled to deliver plenary remarks at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. The event is recognized as a "premier defense summit" where regional defense ministers discuss pressing security challenges and explore new approaches.
Hegseth's remarks are expected to outline the Defense Department’s vision for the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing its importance to U.S. interests. He will address the threat posed by China and how the United States plans to respond. In addition, he aims to highlight efforts to reestablish deterrence in the region. "We seek no conflict with anybody, including the communist Chinese," he noted. "But we will deter… We will stand strong for our interests; and that’s a big part of what this trip is all about."
Besides his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth is set to meet with Singapore's prime minister and other senior officials. He will also hold a bilateral meeting with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, marking their second encounter following Hegseth's visit to the Philippines in March.
This trip underscores ongoing efforts by the Department of Defense (DOD) to strengthen relationships with allies and partners in pursuit of shared goals for peace, stability, and deterrence in the region.
"We’re going out to Singapore to hold a series of meetings to ensure that region understands America will be strong," reiterated Hegseth.