WEBVTT

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Well , doctor , thank you very much .

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Uh good morning . It's great to be back

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in Singapore and at the Shangri-La

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Dialogue to speak about the future . Of

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this vital Pacific region . It's not a

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future based on wishful thinking or

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utopian idealism , but a future that

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will be defined by our collective

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efforts to safeguard and secure our

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most vital national interests .

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Under the leadership of President Trump ,

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who has over the past year shown

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repeatedly what it means to defend

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American national interests from

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Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela to Midnight

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Hammer , to cartel drug boats to epic

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fury , we have restored a proactive and

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realistic approach to our own national

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defense , re-establishing deterrence .

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Now when I was in the United States

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Army as a young lieutenant , the motto

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of my first rifle platoon . was those

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who long for peace must prepare for war .

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It's a simple truth that makes as much

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sense tactically as it does

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strategically . But today I want to lay

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out what this return to realism means

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for the most consequential region in

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the world , the Pacific . And as the

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2026 US national defense strategy makes

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clear , We're charting a new course for

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our alliances and partnerships , one

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that is grounded in the realities of

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power and interests . It is a course

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that will leave America stronger , our

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allies and partners more capable , and

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the Pacific region more stable and

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secure . The foundation of this new

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approach is moving away from a model of

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dependency and toward one of true

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partnership . Embracing a perspective

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that our partners in Asia have

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understood for decades . Now

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perhaps because of distance or perhaps

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because of the hard learned lessons of

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history , the default Asian lens on

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America has been clearer and far more

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pragmatic than in other regions . Our

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partners in Asia have long understood

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that the bedrock of a durable

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partnership is not based on idealistic

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values but on the concrete alignment of

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national interests . There is

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undeniable strength in this clarity .

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And it's what makes our Pacific allies

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and partners such reliable

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counterweights in the face of regional

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threats . When our interests align , we

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act together with focused resolve .

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When our interests diverge , we adjust

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pragmatically . Without the drama .

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Or demoralizing I think Western Europe

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might take note . This is a

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mindset we fully embrace . The era of

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the United States subsidizing the

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defense of wealthy nations is over . We

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need partners , not protectorates . We

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seek alliances built on shared

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responsibility , not dependency . This

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is the maturation of our alliances in a

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new era . It's a vision that puts our

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alliances on a sustainable footing ,

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ensuring they are fit for the

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challenges of this century , not the

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last . The shift is not a matter of

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choice . It is a matter of strategic

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prudence . The national defense

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strategy makes clear that the old

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course uh toothless , utopian and

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globalist course of foreign policy was

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headed for a disaster . That all

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changes under President Trump . Our

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approach is one of flexible , practical

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realism . That looks at the world with

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a clear-eyed perspective that is

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essential for serving vital interests ,

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and nowhere is this clarity more

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important than in the Pacific . This

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region has profound implications for US

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security and prosperity . It's the

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world's largest and most dynamic market

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area . It's why our national defense

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strategy directs the Department of War

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to set the military conditions required

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to achieve a lasting and favorable

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balance of power in the Pacific region .

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When we look across the region today ,

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there is rightful alarm regarding

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China's historic military build-up .

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And the expansion of its military

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activities in the region and beyond ,

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we share a clear-eyed assessment of

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that security environment . And a

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mutual understanding that a Pacific

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dominated by any hegemon would unravel

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the regional balance of power and

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undermine the equilibrium we all seek

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to preserve . The Department of War is

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working with the utmost focus . To

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prevent any such unraveling . We do not

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approach this challenge with needless

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confrontation . But with a posture of

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measured and deliberate strength . Our

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focus is strong , quiet .

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And clear . Strong , quiet ,

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clear . Clear about our intentions ,

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our priorities and our ability to

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deliver on the administration's goals .

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This is a model our Asian partners

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vastly prefer and have long followed .

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Our allies across Asia do not seek

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constant escalation , rhetorical

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theatrics , or a region defined by

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public confrontation . What they want

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and what the United States delivers is

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strength that is disciplined , resolve

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that is steady , and leadership that is

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confident enough to speak and walk

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softly while carrying a big stick .

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What we seek and what the president has

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constantly articulated is a genuinely

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stable equilibrium that works for

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Americans as well as our ally , a

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favorable but durable balance of power .

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In which no state Including China Can

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impose its hegemony and hold the

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security or prosperity of our nation

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and our allies in question . The United

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States seeks to preserve the conditions

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that have long underwritten peace and

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prosperity in this region . We are the

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power working to sustain equilibrium .

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Not too disruptive , plain and simple .

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We defend the status quo that has

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enabled extraordinary growth and

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opportunity across the region . Our

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interests in the Pacific are

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significant , but they are also scoped

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and reasonable , defined by a favorable

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balance of power in which sovereignty

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is respected . Commerce flows freely ,

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and nations retain the freedom to make

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their own choices . This is the balance

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America upholds and will not allow

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others to overturn . Under President

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Trump's leadership , relations between

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the United States and China are better

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than they've been in many years .

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President Trump and this administration

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seek a stable peace , fair trade , and

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respectful relations with China . It's

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not a coincidence that this has

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happened . Strong , quiet , but

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clear is the right recipe for stability .

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Just 2 weeks ago , President Trump and

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President Xi engaged in direct

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discussions in Beijing that reinforced

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this very foundation . I bore witness

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to their hours of candid conversations .

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It was truly historic . They agreed

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that the United States and China should

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build a constructive relationship of

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strategic stability . Based on fairness

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and reciprocity . Reaffirming that

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while our nations will vigorously

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protect our respective interests , we

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can secure practical , mutually

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beneficial agreements where our

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interests align . Now all of that said ,

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My job at the United States Department

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of War is to provide the military

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strength to support President Trump's

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visionary and realistic diplomacy .

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It's our essential responsibility at

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the department to ensure that the

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president is always negotiating from a

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position of unquestionable strength .

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In order to sustain peace here in the

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Pacific and around the globe . To

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ensure our military might preserve

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stability , we will pair it . With a

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clarity of intent . Which is why we are

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meeting more frequently with our

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Chinese counterparts . By maintaining

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open lines of military to military

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communication , we can coordinate ,

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deconflict and reduce the risk of

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miscalculation . This dialogue is not a

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sign of capitu capitulation in either

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direction . But a practical guardrail ,

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ensuring the relationship our leaders

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seek at the top is preserved at every

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level . And while a decent peace is our

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goal , make no mistake , America is a

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Pacific nation . And we insist that

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China respect our long-standing

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position in the region and not just

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insist , but maintain the manifest

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military strength to underwrite it .

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Now to get that job done , we are

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changing the playbook . The era of

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performative outrage is over . Where

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Washington issues loud diplomatic

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protests that signal virtue but do not

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project capabilities . Going forward ,

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we will be intentional about how and

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when we communicate . And we will

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lead first and foremost with actions .

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As I said , strong but quiet . Big

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stick , speak softly . We will

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prioritize lethal capabilities ,

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strategic discipline , and businesslike

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cooperation . Over empty rhetoric and

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peacocking . Any potential opponent

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will be forced to judge us by our hard

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power , collective readiness , and

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steadfast resolve . As the national

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security strategy and the national

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defense strategy direct , our approach

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in the Pacific centers on deterrence by

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denial along the first island chain .

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Now we are reestablishing the Monroe

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Doctrine , the Don Roe Doctrine as I

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like to call it . In the Western

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Hemisphere , aggressively defending our

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homeland and our hemisphere , we will

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protect our people . But if you look at

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our department's planning guidance and

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our budget , We're building a

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team capable of projecting power , a

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country capable of projecting power

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anywhere in the world , most especially

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here . We will build and sustain a

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strong denial defense in the Western

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Pacific that ensures aggression is

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infeasible , escalation unattractive ,

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and war deemed irrational . Our

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military posture will be resilient ,

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distributed , and optimized to deny

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quick , decisive gains through military

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force . This is the logic of strategy .

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And it's the essence of peace through

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strength . And the foundation of a

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durable peace in the Pacific that

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benefits all of us . We all

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benefit from such a policy . Because

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our quiet but clear strength will lead

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to stability and peace . But this is

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not a burden America can or should

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carry alone . A favorable balance of

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power requires capable allies with real

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military strength , real industrial

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capacity and real political resolve .

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For too long the security of this

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region has rested disproportionately on

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American military power . While many of

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our allies and partners allowed their

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own defense capabilities to atrophy .

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That's a bad deal for the American

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taxpayer . And it's an unsustainable

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crutch for our allies and partners .

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Instead , we are all best off . When

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based on our comparative advantages ,

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we all contribute to the shared goal of

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peace and stability . This is not a my

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way or the highway approach . We are

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ready to work with all of you . Where

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you are , based on your own situation ,

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your own geography and your own

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cultural , political , and economic

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realities , to ensure that a Pacific

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free of any dominant hegemon is secured .

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And that's why a core line of effort in

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our national defense strategy is to

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increase burden sharing with US US

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allies and partners and simultaneously

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empower them . To contribute to our

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collective defense . This is not , this

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is no longer an afterthought . It's an

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essential ingredient of our strategy .

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President Trump has been crystal clear

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about this from day one in his first

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administration and now in his second .

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Alliances only work when they are true

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partnerships . It is a two-way street .

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You don't have a strong alliance unless

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everyone has skin in the game . No

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freeloading . History is not

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over . Alliances are not judged by the

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number of flags , but by the number of

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formations . We don't need more

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conferences . We need more combat power .

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I'm sorry to say this here . Less

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Shangri-La , more ships , more subs .

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For too long , polite pleas from our

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European allies to spend more on their

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own defense fell on deaf ears . They're

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finally playing catch-up and we let

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ourselves get distracted by empty

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globalist rhetoric about the

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rules-based international order . While

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European capitals threw open their

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borders . And hollowed out their

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militaries . You can have all the rules

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you want and , and rules are great .

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But if you can't back them up with hard

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power , the rules are not worth the

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paper they are written on . Europe and

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NATO have some big decisions to make

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and more on that soon . These same

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principles apply in the Pacific ,

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albeit of course in different

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circumstances . In this region I'm

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optimistic that our allies driven by

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our shared national interests and the

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unprecedented threat environment will

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step up and step up for real . In fact ,

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we're already seeing progress . If you

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want to see what burden sharing looks

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like , consider the Republic of Korea .

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South Korea has invested consistently

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in its own defense , not because ,

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because it does not have the luxury of

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treating war like an academic exercise .

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They live on the front lines and so

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they build real combat power .

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President Lee's decision to increase

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defense spending to the new global

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standard of 3.5% , and to assume

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greater responsibility . For its

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conventional defense reflects simply a

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clear-eyed understanding of the threat

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environment . It won't be easy . But

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it's necessary for the security and

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prosperity of his country . This was a

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hard-nosed decision because they see

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the world as it actually is . We

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applaud the pragmatism and leadership

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demonstrated by Seoul . The region will

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be far more stable and more secure when

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other allies and partners follow that

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path . We see the same realist mindset

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from the Philippines . Manila is

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shifting its focus to external defense

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and enhancing interoperability with US

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forces , and it's not just talk .

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Earlier this month , we concluded the

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largest ever Balikatan , which featured

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featured joint training and exercises

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involving the most advanced US

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capabilities . The Philippines is also

15:53.280 --> 15:55.058
investing more to modernize its

15:55.058 --> 15:57.940
military and its coast guard . With

15:57.940 --> 16:00.107
President Marcos signing a budget this

16:00.107 --> 16:03.340
year that includes a 12% increase in

16:03.340 --> 16:06.250
defense spending . This spending

16:06.250 --> 16:08.250
increase will fund the Philippines'

16:08.250 --> 16:10.361
multi-year effort to develop a modern

16:10.361 --> 16:11.972
technologically advanced and

16:11.972 --> 16:14.130
interoperable force that can plug in

16:14.130 --> 16:16.770
and fight alongside American

16:16.770 --> 16:19.679
warfighters . We're seeing a similar

16:19.679 --> 16:22.650
and critical shift in Tokyo . Japan is

16:22.650 --> 16:24.872
taking concrete steps to accelerate its

16:24.872 --> 16:27.479
defense transformation . Together we

16:27.479 --> 16:29.479
are enhancing our force posture and

16:29.479 --> 16:31.659
investing in the right capabilities .

16:32.559 --> 16:34.615
We're not at the finish line yet and

16:34.615 --> 16:36.892
there's still some heavy lifting ahead ,

16:36.892 --> 16:39.115
but the momentum is headed in the right

16:39.115 --> 16:41.226
direction . We have high expectations

16:41.229 --> 16:43.710
of our Japanese allies . And together

16:43.710 --> 16:46.520
we can and must each pull our weight to

16:46.520 --> 16:49.419
strengthen the US-Japan alliance .

16:49.950 --> 16:53.320
Strong , quiet . Clear .

16:55.200 --> 16:57.367
Australia is stepping up . Together we

16:57.367 --> 16:59.478
are expanding the rotational presence

16:59.478 --> 17:01.367
of US forces and collaborating to

17:01.367 --> 17:03.311
ensure our defense industrial base

17:03.330 --> 17:05.497
build and sustain weapons required for

17:05.497 --> 17:08.500
a high-end fight . We appreciate

17:08.500 --> 17:10.611
Australia's investment in real combat

17:10.611 --> 17:12.722
power and the commitment to integrate

17:12.722 --> 17:14.890
more deeply with the US joint force .

17:15.708 --> 17:17.788
Across Southeast Asia , we're seeing

17:17.788 --> 17:20.718
our partners step up also , our hosts ,

17:21.188 --> 17:23.538
Singapore , consistently punch above

17:23.538 --> 17:26.109
its weight by investing heavily in its

17:26.109 --> 17:28.989
military and serving as a vital hub for

17:28.989 --> 17:31.156
US logistics activities and rotational

17:31.156 --> 17:34.040
deployments . Strengthening our shared

17:34.040 --> 17:37.189
regional posture . Indonesia

17:37.969 --> 17:40.080
too is making important strides as it

17:40.080 --> 17:42.689
modernizes its armed forces and expands

17:42.689 --> 17:45.609
the scale of military exercises with us

17:45.609 --> 17:47.442
and our partners , strengthening

17:47.442 --> 17:49.770
interoperability and reinforcing

17:49.770 --> 17:53.010
regional stability . I also want to

17:53.010 --> 17:55.199
recognize Malaysia's leadership in

17:55.199 --> 17:57.369
rapidly deploying ASEAN observer teams

17:57.369 --> 17:59.480
to monitor the Thai-Cambodia border .

18:00.130 --> 18:02.709
That is burden sharing in action .

18:03.040 --> 18:05.207
Nations in the region stepping forward

18:05.207 --> 18:07.530
to preserve peace , reduce tensions ,

18:07.770 --> 18:09.770
and support diplomacy with credible

18:09.890 --> 18:12.550
capability . I commend Malaysia and

18:12.550 --> 18:14.829
ASEAN for their efforts in support of

18:14.829 --> 18:17.310
President Trump's historic peace deal .

18:18.650 --> 18:20.872
On the mainland , Thailand continues to

18:20.872 --> 18:22.928
deepen military cooperation with the

18:22.928 --> 18:24.317
United States to enhance

18:24.317 --> 18:27.189
interoperability and develop necessary

18:27.449 --> 18:30.650
readiness . Thailand , a longtime US

18:30.650 --> 18:34.630
partner , investing even more . We're

18:34.630 --> 18:37.030
also seeing the same seriousness of

18:37.030 --> 18:39.510
purpose from Vietnam . Hanoi is

18:39.510 --> 18:41.660
diligently modernizing its maritime

18:41.660 --> 18:44.349
capabilities while expanding pragmatic

18:44.349 --> 18:46.949
defense cooperation with the United

18:46.949 --> 18:50.619
States . Vietnam is a great example of

18:50.619 --> 18:53.709
how nations with distinct histories and

18:53.709 --> 18:56.349
different political systems can work

18:56.349 --> 18:59.369
together in practical ways . Advancing

18:59.469 --> 19:01.709
discrete efforts where our interests

19:01.709 --> 19:05.250
align . To maintain a stable regional

19:05.469 --> 19:09.410
balance . And in South Asia , India

19:09.510 --> 19:11.732
is a critical anchor to hold the line .

19:11.859 --> 19:13.829
A powerful India acting in its own

19:13.829 --> 19:16.229
self-interest advances our shared goal

19:16.229 --> 19:18.119
of maintaining a balance of power

19:18.119 --> 19:20.650
across the region . India is

19:20.650 --> 19:23.219
modernizing its military to carry its

19:23.219 --> 19:24.941
share of the security burden ,

19:24.941 --> 19:28.890
particularly in the Indian Ocean . It's

19:28.890 --> 19:31.001
building out the heavy industrial and

19:31.001 --> 19:33.579
logistics capacity to sustain high-end

19:33.579 --> 19:36.040
military operations . Including the

19:36.040 --> 19:38.119
ability to repair and maintain our

19:38.119 --> 19:41.280
shared platforms and support US Navy

19:41.280 --> 19:43.800
vessels operating forward in the

19:43.810 --> 19:46.000
theater . We've also committed to

19:46.000 --> 19:48.056
pursuing co-production with India to

19:48.056 --> 19:49.959
advance capabilities like Javelin

19:49.959 --> 19:52.869
anti-tank guided munitions . Real

19:53.160 --> 19:56.250
tangible steps to improve the

19:56.250 --> 19:58.619
collective readiness of our forces .

19:59.000 --> 20:01.056
This kind of industrial muscle isn't

20:01.056 --> 20:02.969
just a long-term goal , it's an

20:02.969 --> 20:06.410
immediate operational imperative . And

20:06.410 --> 20:08.577
the United States Department of War is

20:08.577 --> 20:11.800
leading the way . America is undergoing

20:11.800 --> 20:15.020
a historic national manufacturing

20:15.020 --> 20:17.530
mobilization . Of our defense

20:17.530 --> 20:19.641
industrial base , we will produce the

20:19.641 --> 20:22.150
best weaponry in the world , at scale ,

20:22.329 --> 20:25.130
at speed and at a reasonable price .

20:26.020 --> 20:28.131
This is my personal commitment to all

20:28.131 --> 20:31.520
of you . And it is our president's

20:31.530 --> 20:34.319
demand . And it's why President Trump ,

20:34.359 --> 20:37.040
after spending $1 trillion on defense

20:37.040 --> 20:39.869
last year , plans to make a

20:39.869 --> 20:42.680
generational investment of $1.5

20:42.680 --> 20:45.300
trillion on defense this year . To

20:45.300 --> 20:48.160
unleash America's arsenal of freedom

20:48.260 --> 20:50.540
and expand America's military dominance

20:50.540 --> 20:53.359
for decades to come , a generational

20:53.699 --> 20:56.760
investment . President Trump is setting

20:57.099 --> 21:00.300
the gold standard . We demand 3.5% from

21:00.300 --> 21:02.356
our allies and partners , and we are

21:02.356 --> 21:05.180
going well beyond that number . We

21:05.180 --> 21:07.939
expect every single ally and partner to

21:07.939 --> 21:10.959
match that kind of resolve . For those

21:10.959 --> 21:13.219
nations that rise to this challenge ,

21:13.719 --> 21:16.160
that embrace responsibility as true

21:16.160 --> 21:18.382
partners , the benefits will be clear .

21:18.790 --> 21:20.623
As our strategy states , we will

21:20.623 --> 21:22.790
prioritize working with model allies .

21:23.420 --> 21:25.476
Those nations who are most capable ,

21:26.060 --> 21:28.380
clear-eyed , and ready to defend their

21:28.380 --> 21:31.239
national interests . For those nations ,

21:32.390 --> 21:34.557
We are moving them to the front of the

21:34.557 --> 21:37.349
line . Expedited arms sales , deep

21:37.349 --> 21:39.182
industrial based collaboration ,

21:39.189 --> 21:41.380
expanded intelligence sharing , the

21:41.380 --> 21:43.949
list goes on , the benefits , many .

21:45.469 --> 21:47.413
But for those who believe they can

21:47.413 --> 21:49.636
continue to free ride on the generosity

21:49.636 --> 21:52.040
of the American taxpayer , hear us now .

21:53.239 --> 21:56.589
Those days are over . Allies who refuse

21:56.589 --> 21:58.700
to step up and carry their own weight

21:58.700 --> 22:00.867
for our collective defense will face a

22:00.867 --> 22:03.469
clear shift in how we do business .

22:04.520 --> 22:07.319
President Trump believes in helping

22:07.319 --> 22:10.119
countries that help themselves . And

22:10.119 --> 22:12.119
the United States Department of War

22:12.119 --> 22:15.750
feels the exact same way . That is the

22:15.750 --> 22:18.530
nature of burden sharing . It's what we

22:18.530 --> 22:20.530
owe each other and most importantly

22:20.530 --> 22:23.920
what I owe the American people and my

22:23.920 --> 22:27.359
troops . The most precious asset

22:27.750 --> 22:31.010
we have . The world today

22:31.579 --> 22:35.239
is unforgiving And that's why this bold

22:35.239 --> 22:38.160
path is a matter of strategic necessity .

22:39.270 --> 22:41.530
We have a responsibility to our people

22:42.030 --> 22:44.086
to shape the world that comes next .

22:44.086 --> 22:46.252
And under President Trump's leadership

22:46.252 --> 22:48.419
that is exactly what the United States

22:48.419 --> 22:50.252
of America is doing . The US War

22:50.252 --> 22:52.197
Department is advancing an America

22:52.197 --> 22:54.890
first , peace through strength , common

22:54.890 --> 22:57.010
sense agenda . We are reviving our

22:57.010 --> 22:59.930
warrior ethos inside our ranks . We are

22:59.930 --> 23:02.729
rebuilding our great military , and we

23:02.729 --> 23:05.130
are re-establishing the deterrence that

23:05.130 --> 23:07.890
was so dangerously allowed to erode

23:07.890 --> 23:10.130
under the Biden administration . Under

23:10.130 --> 23:12.290
President Trump , we have the most

23:12.290 --> 23:15.449
powerful and capable military in the

23:15.449 --> 23:18.760
history of the world . But our approach

23:18.760 --> 23:22.219
is not one of isolation . America first

23:22.599 --> 23:25.150
does not mean America alone . But it

23:25.150 --> 23:28.069
means realist engagement with a clear

23:28.069 --> 23:30.310
eye toward defending our most vital

23:30.310 --> 23:32.630
national interest . It's an approach

23:32.630 --> 23:35.510
that approach that values actions over

23:35.510 --> 23:38.589
words . And sees alliances as true

23:38.589 --> 23:40.756
partnerships measured by the sovereign

23:40.756 --> 23:42.811
strength and capabilities brought to

23:42.811 --> 23:46.810
bear by each member . Practical ,

23:47.430 --> 23:49.541
interest-driven models of partnership

23:49.589 --> 23:52.359
is not a cynical compromise . But

23:52.359 --> 23:54.989
instead the most realistic . And

23:54.989 --> 23:58.209
reliable foundation for enduring peace

23:58.630 --> 24:01.760
in the Pacific . Our approach asks

24:01.760 --> 24:04.040
Pacific nations to do what many are

24:04.040 --> 24:07.520
already eager to do . Invest seriously

24:07.520 --> 24:10.000
in their own defense , contribute more

24:10.000 --> 24:12.880
to collective security , and work with

24:12.880 --> 24:15.839
the United States in pragmatic ways

24:16.000 --> 24:19.119
that advance our shared interests . If

24:19.119 --> 24:21.959
there was , A thesis statement for my

24:21.959 --> 24:24.930
remarks this morning , it would be this .

24:26.900 --> 24:29.989
join us in embracing this vision .

24:31.170 --> 24:33.339
In building a team of strong ,

24:33.640 --> 24:36.010
self-reliant nations fully capable of

24:36.010 --> 24:39.260
defending their own sovereignty . While

24:39.260 --> 24:41.819
contributing to our collective security .

24:42.619 --> 24:44.939
In preserving the favorable balance of

24:44.939 --> 24:48.239
power that benefits all of us .

24:48.839 --> 24:52.089
Strong . Quiet , clear .

24:53.680 --> 24:55.736
I've said this before , but it bears

24:55.736 --> 24:57.969
repeating again and again , those who

24:57.969 --> 25:01.650
long for peace must prepare for war .

25:02.469 --> 25:05.140
From my first platoon to the first

25:05.359 --> 25:09.270
island chain . Let that remain at the

25:09.270 --> 25:11.959
forefront of our minds because we all

25:12.890 --> 25:16.550
long for peace . That time is now . The

25:16.550 --> 25:19.430
challenges we face are real , but so is

25:19.430 --> 25:22.640
the opportunity before us . We must

25:22.640 --> 25:26.630
meet that moment . And may Almighty God

25:27.079 --> 25:30.430
bless all of our troops in harm's way .

25:30.640 --> 25:31.862
Thank you very much .

25:35.630 --> 25:36.741
Thank you so much .

25:40.520 --> 25:42.869
Secretary Hexa , thank you so much , uh ,

25:42.880 --> 25:46.000
for your remarks and , and , uh , uh ,

25:46.010 --> 25:47.899
a great clarity of your , of your

25:47.899 --> 25:50.066
message . Um , and if you allow me one

25:50.066 --> 25:52.288
comment that we are the Shangri-La Wish

25:52.288 --> 25:54.343
ships , uh , uh , uh , searching for

25:54.343 --> 25:56.520
wisdom , but with a very clear sense

25:56.520 --> 25:58.464
that one needs to invest in combat

25:58.464 --> 26:00.687
power and capability as you , as you so

26:00.687 --> 26:03.310
eloquently , uh , underlined . Um , uh ,

26:03.319 --> 26:06.430
we've got about 30 minutes , uh , for

26:06.430 --> 26:08.680
our conversation now . Um . And uh

26:08.680 --> 26:10.847
we'll collect uh a few questions , but

26:10.847 --> 26:13.280
I see actually that the Minister of

26:13.280 --> 26:16.560
Japan , uh uh Koizumi uh uh son would

26:16.560 --> 26:18.727
like to uh intervene . So I might turn

26:18.727 --> 26:22.050
to him first actually and uh uh get him

26:22.479 --> 26:24.680
to make his comment . Your microphone

26:24.680 --> 26:27.619
is live now , Minister . Thank you very

26:27.619 --> 26:31.290
much , uh , Pete Seto Hexas . Uh ,

26:31.380 --> 26:33.380
thank you for your remarks and very

26:33.380 --> 26:35.713
powerful speech , uh , which was strong ,

26:36.180 --> 26:37.760
not quiet , unclear .

26:39.949 --> 26:41.838
I appreciate I have been in close

26:41.838 --> 26:44.005
communication with you . I safely feel

26:44.005 --> 26:46.160
the unwavering commitment by the US .

26:46.989 --> 26:48.989
But sometimes I feel some countries

26:48.989 --> 26:51.599
might underestimate the US commitment .

26:52.160 --> 26:54.382
Can you give us the message to Asia the

26:54.382 --> 26:57.780
region and also when tensions occur

26:57.780 --> 27:00.002
between allies and like-minded states .

27:00.290 --> 27:02.910
Even tensions are slight . There will

27:02.910 --> 27:05.359
be someone attempting to drive a wedge

27:05.829 --> 27:08.520
between us . I feel the US commitment

27:08.520 --> 27:10.770
is unwavering , which might be

27:10.770 --> 27:12.937
underestimated by some countries , but

27:12.937 --> 27:16.060
you are here with us today . That

27:16.060 --> 27:19.189
speaks a strong message . Japan has

27:19.189 --> 27:21.189
recently revised its policy on the

27:21.189 --> 27:23.430
transfer of defense equipment and

27:23.430 --> 27:25.374
technology . I have been advancing

27:25.374 --> 27:27.486
defense statement to cooperation with

27:27.486 --> 27:29.597
Australia , the Philippines , and New

27:29.597 --> 27:32.420
Zealand and Indonesia too . We are

27:32.420 --> 27:34.420
making those efforts to establish a

27:34.420 --> 27:36.500
resilient supply chain so that

27:36.500 --> 27:38.611
countries in the region can help each

27:38.611 --> 27:42.109
other in case of crisis . I believe

27:42.109 --> 27:44.500
this initiative is aligned with the

27:44.500 --> 27:47.400
arsenal of freedom . Is my

27:47.400 --> 27:49.567
understanding correct ? Thank you very

27:49.567 --> 27:51.678
much . Thank you very much , Minister

27:51.678 --> 27:53.900
Koizumu . Maybe , uh , Mr . Secretary ,

27:53.900 --> 27:56.011
if that's OK , if I can invite you to

27:56.011 --> 27:58.122
respond to , to the minister straight

27:58.122 --> 28:00.289
away and then we group a few questions

28:00.289 --> 27:59.510
together , is that OK ? Yeah ,

27:59.599 --> 28:01.766
absolutely . Well , Minister Koizumi ,

28:01.766 --> 28:03.877
thank you for the question , for your

28:03.877 --> 28:03.680
friendship , for your engagement . I

28:03.680 --> 28:05.624
think , uh , our countries and our

28:05.624 --> 28:07.920
personal engagement is demonstrative of

28:07.920 --> 28:09.809
the kind of commitment the United

28:09.809 --> 28:12.031
States has to allies and partners , and

28:12.031 --> 28:13.976
we appreciate , uh , the extent to

28:13.976 --> 28:13.974
which . You and your government have

28:13.974 --> 28:16.085
stepped up . Uh , and I think there's

28:16.085 --> 28:18.135
sort of two real ways , uh , when I

28:18.135 --> 28:20.655
look at how the world may view our

28:20.655 --> 28:22.711
commitment to this region . First is

28:22.711 --> 28:24.933
through our national defense strategy ,

28:24.933 --> 28:26.988
uh , and we very clearly listed four

28:26.988 --> 28:29.099
pillars . It was the homeland and the

28:29.099 --> 28:31.155
hemisphere , uh , deterring China in

28:31.155 --> 28:33.099
the , in the Indo-Pacific , burden

28:33.099 --> 28:35.155
sharing , and then supercharging our

28:35.155 --> 28:35.094
defense industrial base . Those are the

28:35.094 --> 28:37.038
four , and I think , uh , too many

28:37.038 --> 28:39.094
people were focused on the fact that

28:39.094 --> 28:41.205
number 1 is homeland and hemisphere .

28:41.329 --> 28:43.250
For us , that was a reorientation

28:43.250 --> 28:45.439
toward a forgotten aspect of our

28:45.439 --> 28:47.550
defense strategy . We had a wide open

28:47.550 --> 28:49.383
southwest border that allowed 20

28:49.383 --> 28:51.383
million illegals to pour across our

28:51.383 --> 28:53.550
borders that the Department of War was

28:53.550 --> 28:55.439
focused on securing . We've got a

28:55.439 --> 28:57.439
cartel problem of foreign terrorist

28:57.439 --> 28:57.109
organizations where we can't just

28:57.319 --> 28:59.430
defend at the border , but we need to

28:59.430 --> 29:01.597
defend in depth . So we've created the

29:01.597 --> 29:03.597
America's Countercartel Coalition ,

29:03.597 --> 29:05.597
working with allies and partners in

29:05.597 --> 29:05.199
Central and South America to

29:05.199 --> 29:07.143
holistically . Get it , get at the

29:07.143 --> 29:09.310
counter cartel challenge , key terrain

29:09.310 --> 29:11.366
like the Panama Canal , something we

29:11.366 --> 29:13.421
lost focus on , we're refocused on ,

29:13.421 --> 29:15.366
and , and , and Venezuela's seen a

29:15.366 --> 29:17.032
complete change which creates

29:17.032 --> 29:19.199
complications for our adversaries . So

29:19.199 --> 29:21.510
staying focused and bringing renewed

29:21.510 --> 29:23.677
energy to Southern Command , which had

29:23.677 --> 29:25.899
been kind of a sleepy backwater command

29:25.899 --> 29:27.954
and now is a war fighting command in

29:27.954 --> 29:29.843
our own home and hemisphere , was

29:29.843 --> 29:32.121
something we had to do institutionally .

29:32.121 --> 29:34.343
But if you look at our defense planning

29:34.343 --> 29:36.177
guidance or our national defense

29:36.177 --> 29:38.121
strategy , we are funding toward ,

29:38.121 --> 29:40.232
exercising toward and planning toward

29:40.232 --> 29:42.399
the most difficult problem set , which

29:42.399 --> 29:44.454
is power projection into this region

29:44.454 --> 29:46.232
and working with our allies and

29:46.232 --> 29:48.454
partners . So there , there's a refocus

29:48.454 --> 29:50.677
in what we do in our own neighborhood ,

29:50.677 --> 29:52.510
but in understanding that a $1.5

29:52.510 --> 29:56.329
trillion investment from , you know , s .

29:56.750 --> 29:59.109
to subsea is what's required in order

29:59.109 --> 30:01.790
to deter the next conflict . And then I

30:01.790 --> 30:04.390
think the second aspect is that people

30:04.390 --> 30:06.446
want to conflate that we have global

30:06.446 --> 30:08.557
obligations with turning of our backs

30:08.557 --> 30:10.612
to this region , and that's why I've

30:10.612 --> 30:12.834
made more trips here than anywhere else

30:12.834 --> 30:15.001
and have met and will continue to meet

30:15.001 --> 30:16.834
with individual countries and in

30:16.834 --> 30:18.668
collective settings like this to

30:18.668 --> 30:20.869
demonstrate we are quietly but very

30:20.869 --> 30:23.036
strongly . Working by with and through

30:23.036 --> 30:25.202
allies based on our mutual commitments

30:25.202 --> 30:27.760
to strengthen our capabilities out here .

30:28.069 --> 30:30.069
We still have global obligations to

30:30.069 --> 30:32.125
ensure that , say Iran doesn't get a

30:32.125 --> 30:34.402
nuclear weapon . We're focused on that .

30:34.402 --> 30:36.347
We can do two things at one time .

30:36.347 --> 30:36.290
We're supercharging our defense

30:36.290 --> 30:38.457
industrial base so that we're building

30:38.550 --> 30:42.430
2X , 3 , 4x the munitions very soon

30:42.430 --> 30:44.430
to ensure that all of our plans are

30:44.430 --> 30:46.597
properly funded throughout the world .

30:46.597 --> 30:48.880
So I think . Because there's been a lot

30:48.880 --> 30:51.102
of talk previously in the US government

30:51.102 --> 30:54.319
about pivots that were never real , er ,

30:54.400 --> 30:56.567
there's an instinct to wanna . Look at

30:56.567 --> 30:58.567
this and say that it is not , and I

30:58.567 --> 31:00.344
think it's the exact opposite .

31:00.344 --> 31:02.456
Underneath , uh , our entire approach

31:02.456 --> 31:05.030
is a substantive , serious , uh ,

31:05.310 --> 31:07.532
approach to the , to the Pacific , uh ,

31:07.532 --> 31:09.532
while also ensuring we maintain our

31:09.532 --> 31:11.754
obligations around the world . So thank

31:11.754 --> 31:13.754
you for your question . Excellent .

31:13.754 --> 31:16.032
Thank you very much . We'll group , uh ,

31:16.032 --> 31:18.310
uh , a few questions together now . Um ,

31:18.310 --> 31:20.532
the list is extremely long already , so

31:20.532 --> 31:22.810
I'll , I'll , I'll pull out a few , uh ,

31:22.810 --> 31:22.390
and , uh , first , uh , in this round ,

31:22.430 --> 31:24.630
please , uh , from Korea , uh , Doctor

31:24.630 --> 31:26.959
Chung Min Lee Chung Min . Thank you

31:26.959 --> 31:29.070
Bastian . Uh , Mr . Secretary , thank

31:29.070 --> 31:31.126
you for your positive remarks on the

31:31.126 --> 31:33.292
ROKUS alliance . South Korea's defense

31:33.292 --> 31:35.959
spending this year increased 8.2% , and

31:35.959 --> 31:38.160
we are fully committed to every single

31:38.160 --> 31:40.439
matrix you mentioned on a self-reliant

31:40.439 --> 31:42.680
defense posture . In this regard , my

31:42.680 --> 31:44.736
question to you , sir , is twofold .

31:44.736 --> 31:46.847
Number one , President Trump said yes

31:46.847 --> 31:49.199
to President Lee's request for American

31:49.199 --> 31:51.199
support in building nuclear-powered

31:51.199 --> 31:53.800
submarines for the ROK Navy for a .

31:54.030 --> 31:56.869
Larger deterrence missions and number 2 ,

31:57.150 --> 32:00.229
wartime Ocon transfer to the ROK within

32:00.229 --> 32:02.285
the next couple of years . Could you

32:02.285 --> 32:04.118
please , uh , uh , enlighten the

32:04.118 --> 32:06.630
audience on these two aspects of the

32:06.630 --> 32:09.150
strong and stronger US rock alliance .

32:09.270 --> 32:11.159
Thank you . Thank you very much ,

32:11.159 --> 32:13.492
Changmin . We'll , we'll take , uh , uh ,

32:13.492 --> 32:15.826
one or two more in this , in this round ,

32:15.826 --> 32:18.103
um , and , uh , next please from China ,

32:18.103 --> 32:20.214
Weibin Zhao , your microphone is on .

32:20.510 --> 32:22.300
Thank you , Chairman . I'm Mr .

32:22.310 --> 32:24.569
Secretary . Uh , I'm Senior Colonel

32:24.569 --> 32:27.050
Zhao Weiining from China . You just

32:27.050 --> 32:29.569
mentioned in your speech that during

32:29.569 --> 32:32.050
President Trump's historic visit to

32:32.050 --> 32:34.849
China , the two countries have agreed

32:34.849 --> 32:37.209
upon a new definition of China-US

32:37.209 --> 32:40.150
relations , which is constructive

32:40.609 --> 32:43.810
strategic stability . So what's the

32:43.810 --> 32:47.000
implication of this new definition for

32:47.000 --> 32:49.800
US-China military to military relations

32:49.800 --> 32:52.670
in particular ? As the head of the

32:52.670 --> 32:54.609
worst department , how would you

32:54.609 --> 32:57.770
implement the consensus reached by the

32:57.770 --> 33:00.770
two heads of states in real tangible

33:00.770 --> 33:04.479
steps rather than peacocking ? Yes ,

33:04.770 --> 33:07.790
so , so how would Pete bring peace in

33:07.790 --> 33:11.770
and or out , bring uh cooperation

33:11.770 --> 33:14.260
in and conflictation out ? Thank you .

33:14.449 --> 33:16.609
Thank you very much , um , and we'll

33:16.609 --> 33:20.430
take , um . From the United

33:20.439 --> 33:22.319
States , Douglas Greenlaw .

33:24.579 --> 33:27.420
Secretary Hegseth , uh , thank you for

33:27.420 --> 33:29.309
your principled leadership of the

33:29.309 --> 33:31.031
Department of War . Under your

33:31.031 --> 33:33.198
leadership , the Pentagon has placed a

33:33.198 --> 33:34.920
major emphasis on the key core

33:34.920 --> 33:36.476
principles like lethality ,

33:36.500 --> 33:38.167
reconstruction of the defense

33:38.167 --> 33:39.722
industrial base , including

33:39.722 --> 33:41.939
accelerating innovation by leveraging

33:41.939 --> 33:43.661
private capital and commercial

33:43.661 --> 33:45.883
technology . What would you like to see

33:45.883 --> 33:47.939
from private capital to help scale

33:47.939 --> 33:49.859
these innovations , including

33:49.859 --> 33:52.109
internationally ? So they can be useful

33:52.109 --> 33:54.510
not just to the US but to the defense

33:54.510 --> 33:57.150
posture of the Indo-Pacific . Thank you

33:57.150 --> 33:59.483
very much . Let me , I see there's , uh ,

33:59.483 --> 34:01.817
we have a young leaders group here , uh ,

34:01.817 --> 34:04.039
as well , and I wanna get in one of the

34:04.039 --> 34:06.206
younger voices , uh , uh , in the room

34:06.206 --> 34:06.160
as well . So , uh , if we can get ,

34:06.270 --> 34:08.659
please get , uh , from Pakistan , uh ,

34:09.159 --> 34:11.459
Tan Tanzila Khalil , your microphone is

34:11.459 --> 34:13.409
on . And then we'll return to the

34:13.409 --> 34:15.830
Secretary . Thank you . Um , thank you ,

34:15.870 --> 34:18.989
Mr . Secretary . Um , recently it was

34:18.989 --> 34:21.156
identified by the Director of National

34:21.156 --> 34:23.310
Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard that

34:23.310 --> 34:26.419
Pakistan's potential ICBM capability as

34:26.419 --> 34:29.159
a future threat for the US . I wanted

34:29.159 --> 34:31.310
to seek your comment on how do you

34:31.310 --> 34:33.320
assess India's long range missile

34:33.320 --> 34:36.040
capability , particularly in terms of

34:36.040 --> 34:39.080
the recent , uh , test of Agni 6 ICBM

34:39.080 --> 34:41.320
with a , with a range of approximately

34:41.320 --> 34:44.520
12,000 kilometers , uh , which could

34:44.520 --> 34:46.631
potentially play some parts of Europe

34:46.631 --> 34:48.798
and America within reach . Thank you ,

34:48.798 --> 34:50.909
sir . Thank you very much . So , uh ,

34:50.909 --> 34:53.020
we've got a , a summary of the themes

34:53.020 --> 34:55.280
there as well . Um , uh , so Mr .

34:55.320 --> 34:57.209
Secretary , can I invite you to .

34:59.550 --> 35:01.606
Weave your way through these through

35:01.606 --> 35:03.772
these various comments . I can't weave

35:03.772 --> 35:07.479
as well as my boss can . Not

35:07.479 --> 35:11.100
possible . First , on , on , uh , on

35:11.100 --> 35:13.649
Korea , I see General Brunson is here ,

35:13.939 --> 35:16.050
our , our commander , uh , who does a

35:16.050 --> 35:18.106
phenomenal job there , ensuring that

35:18.106 --> 35:20.340
partnership is , is realized and

35:20.340 --> 35:22.507
deepened every single day . Uh , and I

35:22.507 --> 35:25.870
think it really does , um , exemplify

35:26.020 --> 35:28.187
the kind of partnership and that's why

35:28.187 --> 35:30.464
I led with the remarks about what , uh ,

35:30.464 --> 35:32.520
what South Korea's done . Uh , I was

35:32.520 --> 35:34.687
there when , when the president talked

35:34.687 --> 35:34.600
about nuclear power , submarines . I

35:34.600 --> 35:36.767
think it's an important capability . I

35:36.767 --> 35:38.933
think we're looking for allies willing

35:38.933 --> 35:42.000
to expand , uh , subsea capabilities

35:42.000 --> 35:44.959
that produce real dilemmas . Uh , and I

35:44.959 --> 35:46.848
think that's , you know , what we

35:46.848 --> 35:49.479
recognize is that our undersea warfare

35:49.479 --> 35:51.035
capabilities is unmatched ,

35:51.360 --> 35:53.889
substantially . Unmatched and creates a

35:53.889 --> 35:56.111
lot of strategic dilemmas for potential

35:56.111 --> 35:58.278
adversaries wondering where we are and

35:58.278 --> 36:00.389
what our capabilities may be . Allies

36:00.389 --> 36:02.000
and partners seeking similar

36:02.000 --> 36:04.111
capabilities in their own defense and

36:04.111 --> 36:06.167
in regional stability makes a lot of

36:06.167 --> 36:08.333
sense to us . So I think when you're ,

36:08.333 --> 36:10.556
when you're working with and talking to

36:10.556 --> 36:12.778
President Trump , someone who's willing

36:12.778 --> 36:15.111
to think outside the box and , and . Um ,

36:15.111 --> 36:17.530
shake up sort of a stale view of what

36:17.530 --> 36:19.752
may or may not be possible , expand the

36:19.752 --> 36:21.752
Overton window . Asks like that are

36:21.752 --> 36:23.863
important , and I think you'll see an

36:23.863 --> 36:26.086
acceleration in our willingness to come

36:26.086 --> 36:28.141
alongside countries that want to run

36:28.141 --> 36:30.197
quickly . Now there's challenges and

36:30.197 --> 36:32.086
how we get past them will require

36:32.086 --> 36:32.020
collaboration . But we're very much

36:32.020 --> 36:34.076
committed to that . Uh , and then as

36:34.076 --> 36:36.540
far as wartime Ocon transfer , uh , the

36:36.540 --> 36:38.762
general and I have , you know , spent a

36:38.762 --> 36:40.762
good chunk of time recently talking

36:40.762 --> 36:42.762
about that . We met recently in the

36:42.762 --> 36:44.873
Pentagon , uh , with your Minister of

36:44.873 --> 36:47.096
Defense , uh , on that very topic , and

36:47.096 --> 36:49.899
frankly , it's , uh , It's a breath of

36:49.899 --> 36:52.300
fresh air for an ally to want to take

36:52.300 --> 36:54.780
more control more quickly , and that is

36:54.780 --> 36:56.860
an instinct we want to continue to

36:56.860 --> 36:58.979
incentivize , and I think we have to

36:58.979 --> 37:01.219
find the balance of where our military

37:01.219 --> 37:03.979
plans and the responsibilities that US

37:03.979 --> 37:05.812
uniformed members have had for .

37:05.812 --> 37:08.794
Decades now is honored as we phase over

37:08.794 --> 37:11.475
to wartime Ocon transfer for the

37:11.475 --> 37:13.531
Republic of Korea , which we welcome

37:13.531 --> 37:15.586
the fact that they want that , and I

37:15.586 --> 37:17.808
think it provides even more optionality

37:17.808 --> 37:19.808
for both the Koreans and the United

37:19.808 --> 37:19.514
States there in the peninsula , uh ,

37:19.665 --> 37:21.721
going forward , which is a very good

37:21.721 --> 37:23.943
thing . So I appreciate that question .

37:23.943 --> 37:26.221
Uh , the second question was from , um ,

37:26.221 --> 37:28.332
Colonel , uh , the Chinese military .

37:28.332 --> 37:30.332
Thank you for that question . And I

37:30.332 --> 37:32.387
think uh I , I was there when , when

37:32.387 --> 37:34.221
the conversations were had about

37:34.221 --> 37:36.276
constructive strategic stability . I

37:36.276 --> 37:38.276
think that was a great framing from

37:38.276 --> 37:41.060
both leaders about what they want from

37:41.060 --> 37:43.116
that relationship , and I think it's

37:43.116 --> 37:45.419
hard to understate the importance of

37:45.419 --> 37:47.780
the , uh , you know , books have been

37:47.780 --> 37:49.891
written about the importance of inter

37:49.891 --> 37:52.058
interpersonal diplomacy and how strong

37:52.058 --> 37:54.224
it can be . I think in this particular

37:54.224 --> 37:56.391
case , it's quite meaningful . I think

37:56.391 --> 37:58.058
there is a mutual respect , a

37:58.058 --> 38:00.113
recognition of , of capabilities and

38:00.113 --> 38:02.360
power , and how that could be most

38:02.360 --> 38:04.582
usefully leveraged in the world today ,

38:05.040 --> 38:07.360
with both powers that I , I , I want to

38:07.360 --> 38:09.471
reassure this audience it's , I think

38:09.471 --> 38:11.638
it's real . I think it's substantive ,

38:11.638 --> 38:13.638
and I think it's meaningful for the

38:13.638 --> 38:12.919
history of peace in the region and the

38:12.919 --> 38:15.739
world . What he has communicated to me

38:15.870 --> 38:18.037
is that that manifests in mill to mill

38:18.037 --> 38:20.320
cooperation , uh , that in forums like

38:20.320 --> 38:24.020
this , we maximize the opportunity . to

38:24.020 --> 38:27.219
confer . Uh , I wish my counterpart was

38:27.219 --> 38:29.275
here at this conference , but I look

38:29.275 --> 38:31.330
forward to other options when we can

38:31.330 --> 38:33.275
cross paths and communicate . Talk

38:33.275 --> 38:36.540
about things where often , uh , actions

38:36.540 --> 38:39.429
at sea or actions in the air are

38:39.429 --> 38:41.318
perceived differently , uh , when

38:41.318 --> 38:43.207
there's no communication and when

38:43.207 --> 38:45.151
there's an opportunity at the more

38:45.151 --> 38:47.262
tactical or operational level to talk

38:47.262 --> 38:49.429
about what deconfliction looked like .

38:49.429 --> 38:49.310
And I , I think what you'll get from

38:49.310 --> 38:51.088
the United States is good faith

38:51.088 --> 38:53.659
engagement , uh , clear-eyed . But good

38:53.659 --> 38:56.139
faith engagement uh that we , we are ,

38:56.179 --> 38:58.260
um , I understand commander's intent

38:58.580 --> 39:00.802
and that President Trump has said we're

39:00.802 --> 39:02.580
going to establish this type of

39:02.580 --> 39:04.636
framework and I think it's important

39:04.636 --> 39:06.858
for peace in the world . Uh , the third

39:06.858 --> 39:08.747
question was about defense , uh ,

39:08.747 --> 39:10.969
innovation and private capital's role .

39:10.969 --> 39:13.179
I , we're the static model of how the

39:13.179 --> 39:15.068
United States of America procured

39:15.068 --> 39:16.901
weapons and acquired weapons was

39:16.901 --> 39:19.012
insufficient for the modern age . You

39:19.012 --> 39:21.540
effectively had 5 prime contractors who

39:21.540 --> 39:23.780
were appended , in some cases , not all

39:23.780 --> 39:25.558
cases , but in too many cases ,

39:25.558 --> 39:27.724
appendages of the Pentagon bureaucracy

39:27.820 --> 39:29.899
and had been grown accustomed to

39:29.899 --> 39:32.300
meeting the , You know , cost overruns ,

39:32.340 --> 39:34.409
the time overruns , uh , and , and ,

39:34.419 --> 39:37.060
and the congressional , uh , annual

39:37.060 --> 39:39.116
system that gave everyone excuses to

39:39.116 --> 39:41.338
perpetuate that . Didn't give us enough

39:41.459 --> 39:43.780
fast enough , always seeking the 100%

39:43.780 --> 39:46.002
solution that arrived a decade later as

39:46.002 --> 39:48.224
opposed to the 90% solution that we get

39:48.224 --> 39:50.391
in the hands of warfighters , uh , two

39:50.391 --> 39:52.558
years from now . And so , uh , I think

39:52.558 --> 39:54.879
one of the unsung heroes . Uh , of our

39:54.879 --> 39:56.935
department is my Deputy Secretary of

39:56.935 --> 39:59.101
War , Steve Feinberg , he's our secret

39:59.101 --> 40:01.212
weapon . He came from the bus truly ,

40:01.212 --> 40:03.379
if you don't know him , you should get

40:03.379 --> 40:05.379
to know him . Uh , he came from the

40:05.379 --> 40:07.546
business world and has taken that very

40:07.546 --> 40:07.479
same business mindset , I think for the

40:07.479 --> 40:09.312
first time ever inside the , the

40:09.312 --> 40:11.879
Pentagon and has effectively said , and

40:11.879 --> 40:13.935
this is , there's , there's a lot of

40:13.935 --> 40:16.101
micro aspects to this macro approach ,

40:16.280 --> 40:18.502
but if you want to do business with the

40:18.502 --> 40:20.669
Department of War , we'll make a trade

40:20.669 --> 40:22.780
with you . We will give you long lead

40:22.780 --> 40:24.947
times on critical munitions that we're

40:24.947 --> 40:27.113
clearly gonna be purchasing for 5 to 7

40:27.113 --> 40:29.336
years , or platforms , we're gonna move

40:29.336 --> 40:29.300
into platforms , we're gonna move into

40:29.300 --> 40:31.633
ships , we're gonna move into airframes ,

40:31.633 --> 40:33.744
you name it . You know we're going to

40:33.744 --> 40:35.967
be buying these , and Congress has been

40:35.967 --> 40:37.744
willing to move into multi-year

40:37.744 --> 40:39.522
procurement for us , which is a

40:39.522 --> 40:41.689
statutory requirement eager committees

40:41.689 --> 40:43.467
have given us and we have to be

40:43.467 --> 40:45.633
responsible with . But in exchange for

40:45.633 --> 40:47.356
5 to 7 years of orders , we're

40:47.356 --> 40:49.467
demanding that those companies invest

40:49.467 --> 40:51.633
in their own infrastructure . So these

40:51.633 --> 40:53.911
companies are paying for new factories ,

40:54.129 --> 40:56.149
new , new lines , new production

40:56.149 --> 40:58.629
facilities to the tune of $50 billion

40:58.629 --> 41:01.030
of capitalization . $50 billion that's

41:01.030 --> 41:03.310
not coming from US taxpayers . It's

41:03.310 --> 41:05.088
coming from companies who would

41:05.088 --> 41:06.921
otherwise , in a , in a world of

41:06.921 --> 41:08.699
private incentives , made those

41:08.699 --> 41:10.866
investments , but it's become cozy and

41:10.866 --> 41:12.921
easy to get the taxpayers to pay for

41:12.921 --> 41:15.088
that and then pay for the munitions as

41:15.088 --> 41:17.254
well , and we've just done it the same

41:17.254 --> 41:19.366
way . So over the next 2 or 3 years ,

41:19.366 --> 41:21.088
we're going to see hundreds of

41:21.088 --> 41:23.032
production lines coming online for

41:23.032 --> 41:25.254
critical munitions , so that if we need

41:25.254 --> 41:27.254
more Patriots or THAADs or SM-3s or

41:27.254 --> 41:30.350
Tomahawks , or our partners do . It's

41:30.350 --> 41:33.189
not add another shift to try to eke out

41:33.189 --> 41:36.669
another 100 , it's build 3 more

41:36.669 --> 41:39.429
plants , so that we can 3x , 4x , and

41:39.429 --> 41:41.909
5x the amount of those munitions that

41:41.909 --> 41:44.189
we're creating , uh , which , which

41:44.189 --> 41:45.967
gets skin in the game for those

41:45.967 --> 41:48.078
companies as well . And through doing

41:48.078 --> 41:50.300
that , and opening up our bureaucracy ,

41:50.300 --> 41:51.967
which we go to war with our .

41:51.967 --> 41:54.133
Bureaucracy every single day . Our job

41:54.133 --> 41:56.245
is to make sure we don't have 5 prime

41:56.245 --> 41:58.411
contractors by the time I'm done , but

41:58.411 --> 42:00.578
we've got 1015 , or 20 who are able to

42:00.578 --> 42:02.689
compete on an equal footing , and now

42:02.689 --> 42:04.745
you really are building an arsenal .

42:04.745 --> 42:06.800
And then if you add on top of that ,

42:06.800 --> 42:08.856
co-production , with partners around

42:08.856 --> 42:10.967
the world , who want to do the same ,

42:10.967 --> 42:13.189
now you're building a global arsenal of

42:13.189 --> 42:15.300
freedom . That we require . Uh , we ,

42:15.300 --> 42:17.467
we , we are , we take responsibility ,

42:17.467 --> 42:19.633
our , our , we take very seriously our

42:19.633 --> 42:21.689
responsibility as the foundation for

42:21.689 --> 42:23.689
Western defense , but the more rich

42:23.689 --> 42:25.911
countries who have robust manufacturing

42:25.911 --> 42:27.800
capabilities get into the defense

42:27.800 --> 42:29.856
business , because of the reality of

42:29.856 --> 42:31.800
the moment , uh , the more options

42:31.800 --> 42:31.570
we're all going to have , and so we

42:31.570 --> 42:33.626
welcome that and want to be a leader

42:33.626 --> 42:35.626
there . Uh , the final question was

42:35.626 --> 42:37.810
about , uh , India , Pakistan , and .

42:38.179 --> 42:40.401
Uh , I , I mentioned India here , but I

42:40.401 --> 42:42.235
very easily could have mentioned

42:42.235 --> 42:44.290
Pakistan and the role that the , the

42:44.290 --> 42:46.346
Field Marshal and the Prime Minister

42:46.346 --> 42:47.901
are playing , uh , in peace

42:47.901 --> 42:49.899
negotiations . Uh , I think an

42:49.899 --> 42:52.100
unexpected development , and a , and a

42:52.100 --> 42:54.044
true friendship developing there ,

42:54.044 --> 42:56.100
which I think is important , and you

42:56.100 --> 42:56.100
saw that in the ability of the

42:56.100 --> 42:59.030
president to come together on , on , uh ,

42:59.040 --> 43:01.340
brokering a peace between , uh , India

43:01.340 --> 43:03.284
and Pakistan , two nuclear capable

43:03.284 --> 43:05.899
countries . Uh , I think both sides

43:05.899 --> 43:07.399
there are gonna see . Uh ,

43:07.495 --> 43:09.662
understandable threats coming from the

43:09.662 --> 43:12.975
other , uh , maybe some of which we see

43:12.975 --> 43:15.086
differently , and countries are gonna

43:15.086 --> 43:17.253
wanna develop ICBM threats , but we're

43:17.253 --> 43:19.364
not pointing a finger , at least from

43:19.364 --> 43:21.197
our view , right now , at either

43:21.197 --> 43:23.475
country and calling them a threat , uh ,

43:23.475 --> 43:25.586
to us , and we're grateful for , uh ,

43:25.586 --> 43:27.808
You know , in each of their lanes , the

43:27.808 --> 43:29.975
benefits they've given to peace around

43:29.975 --> 43:32.142
the world . Excellent . Let us get one

43:32.142 --> 43:34.475
more round of comments and questions in ,

43:34.475 --> 43:37.659
and if I can ask for crisp , short

43:37.659 --> 43:40.689
questions so that we can get to answers .

43:41.010 --> 43:43.066
The first one in this round from the

43:43.066 --> 43:45.870
United Kingdom , Tom Beckett . Mr .

43:45.879 --> 43:48.046
Secretary , thank you very much . Um ,

43:48.046 --> 43:50.919
noting the applauding the defense

43:50.919 --> 43:53.086
procurement changes that you're making

43:53.086 --> 43:55.308
in the in the Pentagon , on the 22nd of

43:55.308 --> 43:57.475
May , the acting Secretary of the Navy

43:57.475 --> 43:59.697
said that the $14 billion FMS to Taiwan

43:59.697 --> 44:01.863
had been paused to preserve stocks for

44:01.863 --> 44:04.120
epic fury . Looking to the future ,

44:04.239 --> 44:06.295
that's fine , and the here and now ,

44:06.295 --> 44:08.320
how do you reconcile that with

44:08.320 --> 44:10.550
expedited arms sales for partners ?

44:11.800 --> 44:14.000
Thank you very much , Tom . Uh , we

44:14.000 --> 44:17.159
take another question from China , Dong

44:17.159 --> 44:20.739
Wang . Your microphones on . Thank you

44:20.739 --> 44:23.020
for your speech , uh , Secretary Hexas .

44:23.500 --> 44:26.699
Um , most recently , uh , US forces

44:26.699 --> 44:29.820
Korea commander , um , General Xavier

44:29.820 --> 44:32.260
Brown , Bronson made a striking remark

44:32.260 --> 44:34.316
in a public interview , uh , stating

44:34.316 --> 44:36.939
that South Korea is quote unquote , a

44:36.939 --> 44:39.959
dagger in the heart of Asia . aimed at

44:39.959 --> 44:42.879
China . This comment stands in a stark

44:43.179 --> 44:45.012
contradiction to the spirit of a

44:45.012 --> 44:47.649
constructive China-US relationship of

44:47.649 --> 44:50.010
strategic stability which our two

44:50.010 --> 44:52.020
presidents agreed to build during

44:52.020 --> 44:54.260
President Trump's most recent visit to

44:54.260 --> 44:56.482
China , which you also just referred to

44:56.482 --> 44:58.979
in your speech . President Trump in

44:58.979 --> 45:01.139
particular has also repeatedly

45:01.139 --> 45:03.739
emphasized his desire to forge the best

45:03.739 --> 45:06.699
possible relationship with China . My

45:06.699 --> 45:08.659
question is simple . Does General

45:08.659 --> 45:11.060
Brunson's statement represent the

45:11.060 --> 45:13.510
official position of the Trump

45:13.510 --> 45:16.040
administration and his characterization

45:16.040 --> 45:18.979
of South Korea's role as a dagger aimed

45:18.979 --> 45:22.699
at China , authorized or endorsed by

45:22.699 --> 45:25.260
the Pentagon ? Thank you . Thank you

45:25.260 --> 45:27.739
very much . Uh , the general is in the

45:27.739 --> 45:30.979
room , so , uh , uh , he has an

45:30.979 --> 45:33.090
opportunity to perhaps follow up with

45:33.090 --> 45:35.423
you in the coffee break . Um , uh , but ,

45:35.423 --> 45:37.646
uh , let me get , let me get , uh , one

45:37.646 --> 45:40.689
or two more questions in , um , uh ,

45:40.699 --> 45:44.620
for this round , um , and we'll next

45:44.620 --> 45:47.610
turn , uh , from India to Virathap

45:47.610 --> 45:50.520
Vikram Singh . Virath . Thank you

45:50.520 --> 45:53.310
Bastian . Uh , Secretary Heck said , um ,

45:53.840 --> 45:55.951
how does the Department of War expect

45:55.951 --> 45:57.639
to establish , uh , equitable

45:57.639 --> 45:59.879
cybersecurity partnerships , uh , with

45:59.879 --> 46:02.629
allies who may lack the domestic

46:02.629 --> 46:04.351
intelligence and and technical

46:04.351 --> 46:06.959
capabilities ? Is there a risk that ,

46:07.159 --> 46:09.800
um , this may create an overdependence

46:09.800 --> 46:11.856
on the US private sector which might

46:12.399 --> 46:14.679
further perpetuate a protection-based

46:14.679 --> 46:16.901
model for cybersecurity in the region ?

46:17.870 --> 46:21.030
Thank you very much , and we take from

46:21.030 --> 46:24.879
New Zealand . Anna , if

46:24.879 --> 46:27.540
you feel , Anna . Thank you , Mr .

46:27.550 --> 46:29.606
Secretary . Uh , I couldn't help but

46:29.606 --> 46:31.606
notice that New Zealand was missing

46:31.606 --> 46:33.883
from your list of countries there . Um ,

46:33.883 --> 46:36.110
they have recently outlined a plan to

46:36.110 --> 46:39.399
get from 1% to 2% of GDP a long way

46:39.399 --> 46:41.949
from 3.5%. Would you consider New

46:41.949 --> 46:44.790
Zealand to be a free rider ? Thank you .

46:45.830 --> 46:49.669
Certainly sharp and clear question . Um .

46:51.260 --> 46:54.780
We will take from Australia , which I

46:54.780 --> 46:57.620
think was mentioned , and our young

46:57.620 --> 47:01.489
leader group . Over to you .

47:02.530 --> 47:04.860
Thank you . By order of risk to

47:05.560 --> 47:09.219
strategic equilibrium , uh , what

47:09.219 --> 47:11.610
issues or conflicts in the region is

47:11.610 --> 47:13.600
the US most concerned about ?

47:15.510 --> 47:18.270
OK , thank you very much . Uh , and

47:18.679 --> 47:22.409
I'll just , uh , log in one final one ,

47:23.750 --> 47:27.250
from Thailand . Panitan

47:27.949 --> 47:30.780
Watan yagopon , your mic is on .

47:31.820 --> 47:34.199
Thank you . Thank you , Mr . Secretary ,

47:34.909 --> 47:37.149
for your remarks , very strong , loud ,

47:37.540 --> 47:40.100
and super clear . Uh , in Thailand , I

47:40.100 --> 47:42.267
think , uh , Thai public opinion about

47:42.267 --> 47:45.500
the US is not good , given the fact

47:45.500 --> 47:47.620
that , uh , we are one of the oldest

47:47.620 --> 47:51.179
allies and benefited a lot more from

47:51.179 --> 47:53.939
trade . Surprisingly , on the other

47:53.939 --> 47:57.139
hand , public opinion about China is

47:57.139 --> 48:00.060
not that bad , still very good , given

48:00.060 --> 48:02.760
the fact that the Chinese scammers are

48:02.760 --> 48:05.709
doing a lot of damages to Thai public

48:05.709 --> 48:09.439
and a lot of Chinese weapons on Thai

48:10.060 --> 48:12.540
Cambodian borders . Uh , under your

48:12.540 --> 48:15.909
leadership , uh , what can you do about

48:15.909 --> 48:18.780
it ? And if I may , uh , what can

48:18.780 --> 48:22.149
Thailand do more ? About it in your

48:22.149 --> 48:24.229
opinion . Thank you . Thank you very

48:24.229 --> 48:28.189
much . So again , a very rich uh uh set

48:28.189 --> 48:30.270
of themes to , to choose from . Uh ,

48:30.479 --> 48:32.646
perhaps , Mr . Secretary , I'll invite

48:32.646 --> 48:35.229
you to address that first point on , on

48:35.229 --> 48:37.173
Taiwan uh uh arms sales , and then

48:37.173 --> 48:39.229
we'll take , we'll get through the ,

48:39.229 --> 48:41.396
the other questions . Yeah , I would ,

48:41.396 --> 48:43.618
on the Taiwan arms sales , I would very

48:43.618 --> 48:45.860
much decouple the two , and we feel

48:46.439 --> 48:48.606
very good about our , our stockpiles ,

48:48.606 --> 48:51.469
both how we use them and , and , uh ,

48:51.479 --> 48:54.560
in epic fury in this , uh , historic

48:54.560 --> 48:56.504
moment , and I , and I don't think

48:56.504 --> 48:58.671
enough has been enough credit has been

48:58.671 --> 48:58.629
given to President Trump for his

48:58.629 --> 49:00.959
willingness to take on this global

49:00.959 --> 49:03.679
threat . Uh , and do so through Admiral

49:03.679 --> 49:05.790
Cooper and our CENTCOM commander in ,

49:05.790 --> 49:08.659
in a devastatingly effective way . Uh ,

49:08.669 --> 49:11.149
and , and , you know , status as of

49:11.149 --> 49:14.840
right now is that , um , Any deal will

49:14.840 --> 49:17.007
be a good deal , and I had a chance to

49:17.007 --> 49:19.173
talk to President Trump this morning .

49:19.173 --> 49:21.399
He , he wanted me to reiterate how

49:21.399 --> 49:24.239
patient he is in ensuring that with

49:24.239 --> 49:26.072
America undertaking this kind of

49:26.072 --> 49:28.239
historic endeavor , any deal will be a

49:28.239 --> 49:31.000
good one , a great one , and he's

49:31.000 --> 49:32.833
patient in the pursuit of that ,

49:33.000 --> 49:35.820
because of how the , the implications

49:36.000 --> 49:38.111
of how that sorts out , and certainly

49:38.111 --> 49:40.333
our department . Um , he , we were in a

49:40.333 --> 49:42.620
cabinet meeting just , uh , a couple of

49:42.620 --> 49:44.953
days ago , and the president said , hey ,

49:44.953 --> 49:47.064
it will be a great deal , and if Iran

49:47.064 --> 49:49.342
doesn't want to make a great deal , uh ,

49:49.342 --> 49:49.100
that ensures they don't get a nuclear

49:49.100 --> 49:51.156
weapon , uh , they can deal with the

49:51.156 --> 49:53.322
guy on my left . And that was the only

49:53.322 --> 49:55.544
time I've ever been accused of being on

49:55.544 --> 49:58.139
the left . Uh , and he was pointing at

49:58.139 --> 50:00.306
the War Department , and we're serious

50:00.306 --> 50:02.139
about that . We , our ability to

50:02.139 --> 50:04.306
recommence if necessary , is , uh , we

50:04.306 --> 50:06.472
are more than capable . Our stockpiles

50:06.472 --> 50:08.583
are , are more than suited for that ,

50:08.583 --> 50:10.472
both there and around the globe ,

50:10.472 --> 50:12.806
because of how we balance exquisite and ,

50:12.806 --> 50:15.028
and more plentiful munitions . So we're

50:15.028 --> 50:17.250
in a very good place , and I wouldn't ,

50:17.250 --> 50:19.472
uh , Hong Kou is fantastic , uh , but I

50:19.472 --> 50:21.639
would not , uh , couple the two in any

50:21.639 --> 50:23.806
way at all . And I , I feel good about

50:23.806 --> 50:25.861
not only where we are , but where we

50:25.861 --> 50:25.735
are in future production rates as well ,

50:25.774 --> 50:27.996
and I think there's been a lot of false

50:27.996 --> 50:30.854
reporting , uh , with the wrong motives

50:31.175 --> 50:33.231
about where we might be , the United

50:33.231 --> 50:35.564
States of America , and we're in a very ,

50:35.564 --> 50:37.508
very strong position and feel only

50:37.508 --> 50:37.415
better about where we're going in the

50:37.415 --> 50:39.359
future . Any decision about future

50:39.359 --> 50:41.415
Taiwan arms sales , as the president

50:41.415 --> 50:43.637
said , will rest with him . Uh , and as

50:43.637 --> 50:45.748
the nature of that relationship , and

50:45.748 --> 50:47.971
certainly having been , um , been there

50:47.971 --> 50:50.193
for those meetings in Beijing , there's

50:50.193 --> 50:52.359
no change , uh , in our status there ,

50:52.359 --> 50:54.959
so just to clarify . Uh , on , on , uh ,

50:55.179 --> 50:57.512
since the good general was name checked ,

50:57.512 --> 50:59.290
I don't know if he wants to say

50:59.290 --> 50:59.149
anything , I would always give the

50:59.149 --> 51:01.300
floor to , uh , an esteemed American

51:01.300 --> 51:04.040
general , uh , General Brunson on , uh ,

51:04.570 --> 51:06.681
on , uh , South Korea , and then I'll

51:06.681 --> 51:09.040
take it from there if you want . I

51:09.040 --> 51:10.984
don't know . Yeah , can we turn on

51:10.984 --> 51:13.207
General Brunson's , uh , mic , please ?

51:13.207 --> 51:15.318
Uh , uh , can you press the button on

51:15.318 --> 51:17.151
the , I think if we can get some

51:17.151 --> 51:19.373
support here , please , uh , we need to

51:19.373 --> 51:22.709
insert the , uh , badge probably . Uh ,

51:22.719 --> 51:24.719
OK , yeah , there we go . General ,

51:25.000 --> 51:27.167
thank you , Mr . Secretary . Thank you

51:27.167 --> 51:30.729
so much for that , um , gentlemen . You

51:30.729 --> 51:32.673
could please raise your hand , the

51:32.673 --> 51:34.896
gentleman who asked the question that I

51:34.896 --> 51:36.896
might look at you directly . What I

51:36.896 --> 51:38.673
said was trying to describe the

51:38.673 --> 51:40.729
operating environment because what's

51:40.729 --> 51:42.830
incredibly important in being strong

51:43.280 --> 51:46.530
and quiet is about being able to

51:46.530 --> 51:48.697
describe the environment wherein we're

51:48.697 --> 51:50.474
working . If you remember , the

51:50.474 --> 51:52.252
Prussian philosopher , military

51:52.252 --> 51:54.419
philosopher Clemens talked about Korea

51:54.419 --> 51:57.000
being a dagger pointed at Japan . The

51:57.000 --> 51:59.056
difference is , is we have to change

51:59.056 --> 52:01.278
our perspective , which is why the East

52:01.278 --> 52:03.333
U map is important . By changing our

52:03.333 --> 52:05.500
perspective , we take into account how

52:05.500 --> 52:07.500
others might see us in the region .

52:07.889 --> 52:10.000
We've got to be strong . We've got to

52:10.000 --> 52:12.167
have the right capabilities within the

52:12.167 --> 52:14.111
Republic of Korea , but we have to

52:14.111 --> 52:16.056
understand that those things still

52:16.056 --> 52:18.000
exist and you have to combat those

52:18.000 --> 52:20.222
things every day . What I was trying to

52:20.222 --> 52:22.445
do in a place of learning . Was talk to

52:22.445 --> 52:24.611
war college students about how we have

52:24.611 --> 52:26.709
to change our perspective and think

52:26.709 --> 52:28.876
about where we are . Then I can advise

52:29.070 --> 52:31.292
not only my service secretary , service

52:31.292 --> 52:33.750
secretary , but then my secretary , my

52:33.750 --> 52:35.989
boss in the Department of War on what

52:35.989 --> 52:38.429
things we might do . The secretary also

52:38.429 --> 52:42.169
mentioned OPCO transfer . The position

52:42.169 --> 52:44.409
that we have within the peninsula based

52:44.409 --> 52:46.729
on our great allies represented by uh

52:46.729 --> 52:48.785
Minister of Defense Hong G Bak who's

52:48.785 --> 52:50.570
right here in the front row is

52:50.570 --> 52:52.850
important . But what's also important

52:52.850 --> 52:55.017
is that we have the right capabilities

52:55.017 --> 52:57.239
at the right place and the right time ,

52:57.239 --> 52:58.961
but also take into account our

52:58.961 --> 53:01.017
perspectives . I'm encouraged by the

53:01.017 --> 53:03.239
fact that my president and my secretary

53:03.239 --> 53:05.406
went to China . That is tremendous and

53:05.406 --> 53:07.017
that we might have increased

53:07.017 --> 53:09.128
relationships where we might talk and

53:09.128 --> 53:11.128
we have to remember that when we're

53:11.128 --> 53:13.239
talking to students , we want them to

53:13.239 --> 53:15.017
understand and appreciate other

53:15.017 --> 53:17.072
perspectives other than our own . So

53:17.072 --> 53:19.183
many times in , in over the course of

53:19.183 --> 53:21.239
my career and the secretary's career

53:21.239 --> 53:23.461
we've thought blue and red . Well , now

53:23.461 --> 53:25.517
there's a green there where we might

53:25.517 --> 53:27.128
have in this green space the

53:27.128 --> 53:28.906
opportunity to talk and to have

53:28.906 --> 53:31.017
military thought . The only way there

53:31.017 --> 53:32.961
will be philosophers in the future

53:32.961 --> 53:35.017
wearing uniforms like myself will be

53:35.017 --> 53:37.959
that we enter into the field of ideas

53:38.290 --> 53:40.457
and we challenge ideas and I'm OK with

53:40.457 --> 53:42.457
the challenge of the ideas , but we

53:42.457 --> 53:44.401
have to remember that context will

53:44.401 --> 53:46.457
always be king . And we have to take

53:46.457 --> 53:48.500
remarks contextually . And I would

53:48.500 --> 53:50.722
encourage that you listen to the entire

53:50.722 --> 53:52.778
podcast as well as the speech that I

53:52.778 --> 53:54.722
gave to the War College students ,

53:54.722 --> 53:57.840
which was pretty good . Thank you ,

53:57.929 --> 53:59.985
thank you very much for , for that's

53:59.985 --> 54:03.600
why we gave him the mic . Very good .

54:03.679 --> 54:06.199
We , we've got 2 or 3 minutes left to

54:06.199 --> 54:08.421
get to , I'd like to give the remainder

54:08.421 --> 54:12.229
of my time to the general . New Zealand

54:12.229 --> 54:14.409
defense spending , we've got that

54:14.409 --> 54:16.929
question on , on prioritizing regional

54:16.929 --> 54:19.040
challenges and conflicts , and then ,

54:19.040 --> 54:20.985
and then there was a question from

54:20.985 --> 54:23.207
Thailand as well . There was a question

54:23.207 --> 54:25.429
on cybersecurity as well . Um , I think

54:25.429 --> 54:27.651
what you've seen from our operations is

54:27.651 --> 54:29.929
how central we've made that capability ,

54:29.929 --> 54:32.040
how important it is , how decisive it

54:32.040 --> 54:34.262
can be , and now that we're moving into

54:34.262 --> 54:36.485
the brave new world of AI and what . It

54:36.485 --> 54:38.596
enables , uh , uh , the United States

54:38.596 --> 54:40.262
has incredible private sector

54:40.262 --> 54:42.207
advantages there that we intend to

54:42.207 --> 54:44.096
responsibly harness , which would

54:44.096 --> 54:46.600
require um understanding how they work

54:46.600 --> 54:48.211
and how they can be utilized

54:48.211 --> 54:50.044
offensively or defensively , but

54:50.044 --> 54:52.267
responsibly , and working with partners

54:52.267 --> 54:53.933
to on cyber , and those cyber

54:53.933 --> 54:56.044
relationships is gonna be a huge part

54:56.044 --> 54:58.044
of how we enable partners , whether

54:58.044 --> 55:01.080
it's AI or not . Uh , New Zealand , I

55:01.080 --> 55:03.300
appreciate the question , I . Listen ,

55:03.340 --> 55:05.618
I mean , if I'm being honest , I don't ,

55:05.618 --> 55:07.340
2%'s not enough , and so 2% is

55:07.340 --> 55:09.562
freeloading , but I don't have anything

55:09.562 --> 55:11.673
against New Zealand . I want partners

55:11.673 --> 55:11.570
to step up . It was , I didn't

55:11.570 --> 55:13.899
intentionally leave it off my list . I

55:13.899 --> 55:15.955
look forward to working with the new

55:15.955 --> 55:18.010
Defense Minister there and enhancing

55:18.010 --> 55:19.899
those capabilities . I think that

55:19.899 --> 55:22.010
relationship has been a very fruitful

55:22.010 --> 55:24.288
one for a very long time . But I think ,

55:24.288 --> 55:26.510
uh , as my friends Richard Morres and ,

55:26.510 --> 55:28.732
and John Healey know , I'm probably the

55:28.732 --> 55:30.843
most blunt with our closest friends .

55:30.843 --> 55:32.843
About what our capabilities are and

55:32.843 --> 55:35.010
where they need to be , to ensure that

55:35.010 --> 55:36.843
we're locking arms and shields ,

55:36.843 --> 55:39.010
considering the threats of the world ,

55:39.010 --> 55:41.121
and we can't just say , oh we've been

55:41.121 --> 55:43.343
friends for a long time , so let's work

55:43.343 --> 55:45.399
together . It's , we've been friends

55:45.399 --> 55:47.455
for a long time , so you better have

55:47.455 --> 55:49.566
the same capabilities we do , because

55:49.566 --> 55:49.260
if we don't , our alliance is

55:49.260 --> 55:51.204
meaningless . Uh , and , and , and

55:51.204 --> 55:53.260
that's the kind of realism President

55:53.260 --> 55:55.316
Trump has asked me to inject into er

55:55.316 --> 55:57.427
into all relationships . Uh , I can't

55:57.729 --> 55:59.896
remember the last question . There was

55:59.896 --> 56:02.118
a question on , on Thailand , uh , uh ,

56:02.118 --> 56:04.285
public opinion , yeah , yeah , I had a

56:04.285 --> 56:06.340
great meeting with , I mean , one of

56:06.340 --> 56:08.507
our oldest allies , almost 200 years ,

56:08.507 --> 56:10.618
uh , and , and , and I think played a

56:10.618 --> 56:12.340
very constructive role and has

56:12.340 --> 56:12.090
continued to try to play a constructive

56:12.090 --> 56:13.923
role in how that conflict . Gets

56:13.923 --> 56:15.646
resolved . Had a great meeting

56:15.646 --> 56:17.923
yesterday with the Minister of Defense ,

56:17.923 --> 56:20.146
and I think we found some , from some ,

56:20.146 --> 56:22.312
some public ways and some private ways

56:22.312 --> 56:24.423
that we can deepen our partnership ah

56:24.423 --> 56:23.925
meaningfully . So certainly very

56:23.925 --> 56:25.758
committed to that relationship .

56:25.758 --> 56:27.981
Fantastic , Secretary Hexar , thank you

56:27.981 --> 56:29.981
so much for being at the Shangri-La

56:29.981 --> 56:32.203
Dialogue . It's a real pleasure . Thank

56:32.203 --> 56:31.399
you .

56:37.340 --> 56:37.350
Please .