SINGAPORE—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed that there would be “devastating consequences” should China seek to “conquer” Taiwan, in a speech that appeared aimed at easing concerns in Asia over the U.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth​ reassured allies in the Indo-Pacific on Saturday that they will not be left alone to face increasing military and economic pressure from China.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday delivered a dire warning to the Asia-Pacific region and the world: China’s designs on Taiwan pose a threat to global peace and stability that requires “our allies and partners do their part on defense.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the U.S. will support Indo-Pacific allies as he warned Chinese action against Taiwan could be “imminent.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies that the U.S. is standing with them against increasing military pressure from China.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday said the U.S. is stepping up its efforts to resist China's plans to "dominate and control" Southeast and East Asia. "America is proud to be back in the Indo-Pacific,

"We are not going to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

BEIJING – China on June 1 warned the United States it “should not play with fire” over Taiwan and said it had lodged “representations” with Washington over comments made by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth at a summit in Singapore.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday in Singapore attempted to woo Asian defense leaders to Washington’s side as he warned of the “imminent” threat China poses to the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth,

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has warned that China poses an "imminent" threat to Taiwan, urging Asian nations to increase their defence spending and collaborate with the United States to prevent conflict.