US Prepared for Conflict with China, Says Hegseth
The US is ready to engage in military conflict with China if it becomes necessary, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth stated during an interview with Fox News amid escalating trade tensions. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The Pentagon chief's statement comes as trade tensions with Beijing continue to escalate.
The United States is ready to engage in military action against China if necessary, according to the Pentagon, following Beijing’s warning of potential tariff retaliation. This threat signifies another intensification in the ongoing trade conflict between the two largest economies in the world.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified the US stance early Wednesday during an interview with Fox News. This followed comments from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, asserting that China was prepared to engage in “any” type of war.
“We are prepared,” Hegseth affirmed, adding, “Those who long for peace must prepare for war.”
He elaborated that this preparedness was a driving force behind the US's efforts to rebuild its military and restore “deterrence in the warrior ethos.”
“We live in a dangerous world with powerful, ascendant countries that have very different ideologies,” he noted. “They’re rapidly increasing their defense spending, modernizing technology – they want to supplant the United States.”
Hegseth emphasized the importance of military strength in preventing conflict. “If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong,” he stated.
The Pentagon chief also mentioned that US President Donald Trump shares “a great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and indicated that the US would pursue cooperation and partnership whenever feasible. However, Hegseth made it clear that his primary duty as secretary of defense is to ensure readiness for any possible confrontation.
On Tuesday, China cautioned that it would retaliate if the US continued with a trade or tariff war, in light of Trump’s choice to raise tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. These tariffs were added on top of those ranging up to 25% that the Trump administration had previously imposed on approximately $370 billion worth of imports from China during 2018 and 2019.
“If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end,” stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, a sentiment echoed by the country’s embassy.
In response to Trump's actions, Beijing promptly announced tariff increases of 10%-15% on various American agricultural and food items. Additionally, it imposed export and investment restrictions on 25 US companies, citing national security issues.
China has also initiated legal action with the World Trade Organization, claiming that US tariffs breach international trade regulations, and has urged Washington to settle the dispute through dialogue.
Trade tensions between the US and China escalated in 2018 during Trump’s first term, when he implemented tariffs on Chinese products, accusing the country of unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. This initiated a series of escalating retaliatory measures that disrupted global markets and supply chains.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
The United States is ready to engage in military action against China if necessary, according to the Pentagon, following Beijing’s warning of potential tariff retaliation. This threat signifies another intensification in the ongoing trade conflict between the two largest economies in the world.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified the US stance early Wednesday during an interview with Fox News. This followed comments from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, asserting that China was prepared to engage in “any” type of war.
“We are prepared,” Hegseth affirmed, adding, “Those who long for peace must prepare for war.”
He elaborated that this preparedness was a driving force behind the US's efforts to rebuild its military and restore “deterrence in the warrior ethos.”
“We live in a dangerous world with powerful, ascendant countries that have very different ideologies,” he noted. “They’re rapidly increasing their defense spending, modernizing technology – they want to supplant the United States.”
Hegseth emphasized the importance of military strength in preventing conflict. “If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong,” he stated.
The Pentagon chief also mentioned that US President Donald Trump shares “a great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and indicated that the US would pursue cooperation and partnership whenever feasible. However, Hegseth made it clear that his primary duty as secretary of defense is to ensure readiness for any possible confrontation.
On Tuesday, China cautioned that it would retaliate if the US continued with a trade or tariff war, in light of Trump’s choice to raise tariffs on Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. These tariffs were added on top of those ranging up to 25% that the Trump administration had previously imposed on approximately $370 billion worth of imports from China during 2018 and 2019.
“If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight till the end,” stated Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, a sentiment echoed by the country’s embassy.
In response to Trump's actions, Beijing promptly announced tariff increases of 10%-15% on various American agricultural and food items. Additionally, it imposed export and investment restrictions on 25 US companies, citing national security issues.
China has also initiated legal action with the World Trade Organization, claiming that US tariffs breach international trade regulations, and has urged Washington to settle the dispute through dialogue.
Trade tensions between the US and China escalated in 2018 during Trump’s first term, when he implemented tariffs on Chinese products, accusing the country of unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. This initiated a series of escalating retaliatory measures that disrupted global markets and supply chains.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
