And instantly the US protection minister finds reward for Germany | EUROtoday

America is again within the IndoPacific – and we keep right here. ” With this announcement, US defense Minister Pete Hegseth opened his fundamental speech at the Shangri-La-Dialog in Singapore. What is meant was his Chinese counterpart, who remained a distance from the important security summit as any other political leader from Beijing.

Hegseth not only performed as Defense Minister in Singapore, but as an architect of a new American security regulations for Asia. With a mixture of pathos, numbers and geopolitical determination, he presented the strategy with which the USA wants to counter China. Behind the appearance is the realization that the USA is no longer the region’s natural security guarantee and have to actively work for not being completely sold by a militarily stronger China.

The Indopazacifik is not just a strategically important region, but “our major space of ​​utility,” says Hegseth. In order to underpin this, he outlined a new plan for the region based on three pillars: the relocation of fighting US troops closer to China, the massive strengthening of the defense industries together with partners and a systematic increase in interoperability with allies such as Japan, Australia, India and the Philippines.

The multilateral Piper program is central to this new approach-the “partnership for industrial resilience within the Indopazificif”. In a network of initially 14 partner states – including Australia, Japan, India, South Korea and New Zealand – the United States wants to network critical defense industries, set common standards and build regional supply chains for key military technologies.

The first specific step: a maintenance center for P-8 radar systems in Australia, which will also use South Korea and New Zealand in the future. In addition, drone technologies are to be standardized, military watercraft are to be repaired regionally and ammunition production is located. “An built-in industrial backing is simply as essential as frequent army workout routines,” said Hegseth – and emphasized that it was crucial that opponents “see that we are able to ship provides even in an emergency”.

Hegseth also announced new weapons systems in the Philippines – including the first stationing of the mobile rocket launcher “Nemesis” west of the international date border. In Japan, the US headquarters are upgraded and an American medium-range rocket system is being tested for the first time in Australia. Common major maneuvers such as “Balikan”, “Saber” or “Tiger Triumph” are intended to improve the interaction of the troops. The Quad countries (USA, India, Japan and Australia) are also supposed to work closer together, for example through a joint logistics network.

Hegseth’s tone was combative, almost missionary. He openly accused China of wanting to take Taiwan and harass neighboring countries – with water cannons, cyber attacks and military threats. “China desires to turn into a hegemonic energy in Asia,” says Hegseth. “It tries to get management of elements of this area that’s alive and free.” China use “massive military upgrading and hybrid warfare” to create facts. “We usually are not allowed to look away and we’re not allowed to disregard it.”

President Xi Jinping had commissioned his troops to be ready for an invasion by 2027 (the Democratic Island of Taiwan, editor’s note). “The People’s Liberation Army trains for this daily, that is the truth.” And: “Any try by China to beat Taiwan for violently, would have devastating penalties – for the area and the world.” In fact, however, there is uncertainty in the region as to whether the government of US President Donald Trump really stops Taiwan in an emergency, which China sees as part of his state area. The island also also threatens punitive tariffs from Washington – a contradiction that triggers irritation even among narrow partners.

At the same time, Hegseth appeased towards Beijing. The United States, he said, “usually are not on the lookout for a battle with the China Communist Party. We do not wish to topic or humble anybody”. The United States had “deep respect for Chinese civilization”, but: “We can’t be pushed out of this area. And we don’t enable our companions to be intimidated.” One is not here “to show you about local weather change or cultural questions”. Every country is confident and has the right to choose its own way.

Praise for Germany

Hegseth also formulated a clear expectation with a view to Europe. The United States is determined to support its partners in Ukraine, “however it’s time that Europe assumes extra accountability for its personal safety”. The transatlantic alliance is only credible “if it’s not perceived as one -sided”. The US defense minister now sees NATO on the right track.

After European NATO countries invested up to five percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) in defense, Asian partners would now have to follow. “Look at Europe,” said Hegseth. “Even Germany now desires to spend 5 % of its GDP for protection.” A few weeks ago, he had found significantly more critical words for the continent to defend. In an internal chat, he wrote to US Vice President JD Vance: “I share your disgust for Europe’s parasitic. It is pathetic”.

In Singapore, Hegseth also announced America’s return on the “warrior ethos”: an army with high standards that were geared to combat, gender -neutral and uncompromisingly. “Anyone who can do the job is in our formation. If you may’t, it’s not,” he said. The morale and commitment of the troops rose noticeably – “due to President Trump’s declining politics”.

It is unclear whether Hegseth’s vision caught in the region. The United States gave the United States a stage that China’s Minister of Defense stayed away from the summit. But many states in the Indopazificifik laving between the superpowers back and forth – and observing whether Washington’s new determination is permanent this time. It is only clear that the United States does not want to leave the room to China without a fight.

At the end of his speech, Hegseth became personally. He spoke of the oil that is still seeping from the wreck of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, of the 17,000 graves of American soldiers in Manila, of the black beaches of Iwojima (bloody battle between the USA and Japan at the end of World War II in the Pacific, i.e. Red). “Those who need peace have to organize for the conflict,” he quoted his first train driver. “And that is precisely what we do. We are getting ready for the conflict to stop it.”

Christina zur Nedden Is China and Asia correspondent. She has been reporting on behalf of the world from the world from East and Southeast Asia since 2020.