US defense secretary warns Indo-Pacific allies of ‘imminent’ threat from China

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reassured Indo‑Pacific allies that the U.S. will strengthen its military presence to counter growing threats from China, especially regarding Taiwan. He urged regional countries to increase their own defense spending, warning that economic dependence on China risks their security. China denied these accusations, calling them provocations. The U.S. commitment comes amid tensions over China’s military buildup and ambitions, including in the South China Sea and Latin America, the Associated Press has reported. Some allies, like Australia, agreed on the need for shared responsibility, while others expressed concern over U.S. trade policies undermining regional stability.