US lawmakers press Hegseth on Trump's China trip amid allies’ concerns over Beijing

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers pressed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth over President Donald Trump’s upcoming trip to China, warning that allies such as Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines were closely watching whether Washington would stand firm against Beijing’s growing military and economic influence.

China emerged as a dominant theme during a lengthy Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defence hearing on Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget, with lawmakers from both parties describing Beijing as America’s biggest long-term strategic challenge.

Committee Chairman Mitch McConnell directly questioned Hegseth about whether Indo-Pacific allies could trust the United States not to compromise their security interests during Trump’s meetings in Beijing.

“We all agree they’re the greatest long-term military and economic challenge to US and our Western allies as well,” McConnell said, referring to China. He added that “Taiwan, Japan and Philippines look to us.”

McConnell also sought assurances that freedom of navigation in the South China Sea would remain protected during the diplomatic engagement with Beijing.

Hegseth declined to speak directly on Trump’s negotiating strategy but insisted the administration remained focused on strengthening America’s position in the Indo-Pacific.

“Every aspect of what he pursues inside this relationship is to ensure that American interests are advanced,” Hegseth said of Trump.