TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that the US has no intention of changing the status quo in Taiwan, emphasizing defense against China with strength rather than confrontation.
Speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, Hegseth outlined four core missions for the Defense Department, per CNA. He said they include protecting the US homeland, deterring China through strength, increasing allied burden-sharing, and rebuilding the defense industrial base.
On US–China relations, Hegseth said the Trump administration seeks stable peace, fair trade, and mutual respect. He noted that recent high-level contacts between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have opened the door to further progress.
Hegseth said reciprocal visits planned for next year could help ease tensions if both sides maintain open channels. He added that the Department of Defense is expanding communications with the PLA to avoid risks.
Hegseth said US deterrence ensures Beijing cannot dominate Washington or its allies while keeping trade open and fair.
“We are not trying to strangle China’s growth,” he said, per Nikkei Asia. “We are not trying to dominate or humiliate them, nor are we trying to change the status quo over Taiwan.”
Hegseth concluded that the department’s priority is to preserve peace in the Indo-Pacific while ensuring the US can negotiate from a position of strength and uphold long-term strategic and economic interests.
