This seems to be unprecedented language from a US Secretary of Defense: "I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power [with China] in the Indo-Pacific."

 https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1984124024675590554

Arnaud Bertrand

@RnaudBertrand

This seems to be unprecedented language from a US Secretary of Defense: "I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power [with China] in the Indo-Pacific." To date, US language was always about US "preeminence" or "dominance", not "balance of power."

Quote

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

@SecWar

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17h

Today, I met with China’s Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus. It was a good and constructive meeting. I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized U.S.

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4:03 PM · Oct 31, 2025

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https://x.com/RnaudBertrand/status/1984124024675590554