At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivered an important speech in which he not only mentioned China, but also clearly outlined the principles for responding to the China threat: “firm, coordinated, and calm” — “carry a big stick and speak softly.”
‘We will not allow anyone to overturn it’
In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized: “This region has profound implications for U.S. security and prosperity. It’s the world’s largest and most dynamic market area. It’s why our national defense strategy directs the Department of War to set the military conditions required to achieve a lasting and favorable balance of power in the Pacific region.”
He added that when examining the region today, the United States is alert to China’s historically large-scale military expansion and its growing military activities in the region and beyond.
He said the U.S. has a sober assessment of the current environment and shares the understanding that if any hegemonic power dominates the Indo-Pacific, the regional balance of power would be broken, and the stability the U.S. seeks to maintain would be undermined.
He stressed that the Department of Defense’s mission is to prevent such a scenario from occurring.
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The key phrase he used — “This is the balance America upholds and will not allow others to overturn” — clearly signals the U.S. stance, particularly toward China.
‘Our approach is very clear’
Hegseth repeatedly emphasized three keywords: “strong, quiet, and clear.” In addressing China’s large-scale military expansion and the need to prevent any hegemon from dominating the Indo-Pacific, he said:
“We do not approach this challenge with needless confrontation, but with a posture of measured and deliberate strength. Our focus is strong, quiet, and clear — strong, quiet, clear. Clear about our intentions, our priorities, and our ability to deliver on the administration’s goals.”
“This is the model that many Asian partners have long preferred and consistently practiced. U.S. allies in Asia do not seek sustained escalation of tensions, political confrontation, or a departure from the principles of open engagement. What they want — and what the United States delivers — is disciplined strength, steady resolve, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”
This policy approach from the Trump administration echoes the ideas of George Kennan’s “containment strategy,” as outlined in The Sources of Soviet Conduct. Kennan argued that U.S. policy toward the Soviet Union should be long-term, patient, but firm and vigilant in containing expansion — while avoiding unnecessary threats, intimidation, or emotional displays of power.
However, focusing only on “speaking softly” is incomplete — the other half is “carrying a big stick.” As Hegseth put it in his speech: “leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.” In recent years, the U.S. military has repeatedly demonstrated this capacity for overwhelming force.
Hegseth added that his role in the Department of Defense is to provide military strength to support President Donald Trump’s pragmatic foreign policy, ensuring that negotiations are conducted from a position of unquestioned strength in the Indo-Pacific, thereby maintaining regional peace.
He also stressed that maintaining military capability requires a clear strategic framework.
While the goal is to achieve a dignified peace, he warned:
“The United States is a Pacific nation. We insist that China respect our longstanding position in this region — and not just insist, but maintain the manifest military strength to underwrite it,” Hegseth said.
He concluded that the era of sending signals through over-accommodation and weak displays of strength is over.
