US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth adopted a less strident tone regarding China at the Shangri-La Dialogue, stating relations are improving and the US seeks stable peace and fair trade. This marks a shift from previous rhetoric at the same event.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth told Asia’s biggest military conference that his country’s relations with China were “better than they’ve been in many years”, as he adopted a much less strident tone than at the same event 12 months ago. “President Trump and this administration seek a stable peace, fair trade and respectful relations with China,” Hegseth said on Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The two countries agreed to “build a constructive relationship of strategic...