US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has engaged in a phone call with China’s Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun, emphasizing that Washington does not seek conflict with Beijing. This conversation takes place amidst strained relations between the two nations, with the US describing China as its primary geopolitical rival.
In the phone call, Hegseth underscored that the US is not pursuing confrontation, regime change, or the “strangulation” of China. However, he also stressed that Washington has vital interests in the Asia-Pacific region and will resolutely protect those interests. The Pentagon characterized the exchange as “candid.”
According to China’s Xinhua news agency, the call was initiated by Hegseth, and Admiral Dong urged continued communication and an open attitude to foster stable and positive military ties based on mutual respect. Dong also stated that China seeks peace and stability in the South China Sea and opposes infringement and provocation by non-regional countries.
The US and China recently extended a 90-day tariff truce, keeping planned increases on hold until November 10. Meanwhile, several media outlets have reported that the US is allegedly urging the EU to impose steep tariffs on imports from China and India, potentially up to 100%, over their ties with Russia and the Ukraine conflict. China and India have pushed back against tariff pressure, with Chinese officials warning that “tariff wars have no winners” and India describing the new US tariffs as “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also cautioned the West against using a “colonial tone” toward Beijing and New Delhi, suggesting that such actions are aimed at slowing their economic rise. The developments highlight the complex and evolving dynamics between major world powers, with trade and geopolitical tensions continuing to shape international relations. As the situation unfolds, the interactions between the US, China, and other nations will be closely watched for their potential impact on global stability and economic cooperation.