WASHINGTON, D.C. – A close ally of former President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning, admitting that the United States is “prepared” for war with China. Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Defence Secretary, made this declaration during an appearance on Fox and Friends.
Hegseth was responding to a provocative message posted by the Chinese embassy in the U.S. on Twitter, which stated: “If war is what the US wants, be it a tariff war, a trade war or any other type of war, we’re ready to fight until the end.”
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In response, Hegseth simply replied: “Well, we’re prepared.” He elaborated further, stating, “Those who long for peace must prepare for war, that’s why we’re rebuilding our military.”
Emphasizing the need for strength to deter conflict, he continued, “If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong, and that president understands peace comes through strength,” reports The Mirror.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Hegseth maintained that Trump had a “great relationship” with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that both nations could still find ways to cooperate. He reiterated that Trump was seeking peace and new opportunities, despite the mounting tensions.
However, he made it clear that his primary responsibility was to ensure military readiness. “But my job as the secretary of defense is to make sure we’re ready. We need the defense spending, the capabilities, the weapons, and the posture in the Indo-Pacific, which is something we’re very much focused on.”
This exchange comes as Beijing announced its intention to increase its defence budget by more than 7.2 percent this week, a move aimed at modernizing its military and increasing pressure on neighboring regions, including Taiwan. The development unfolds against the backdrop of an ongoing trade war between the two nations.
In a bold move, Trump recently announced his decision to double tariffs on Chinese imports, raising them to approximately 20 percent. China swiftly retaliated with its own tariffs, imposing up to 15 percent on certain U.S. agricultural products.
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Chinese officials have accused Trump of using the ongoing fentanyl crisis as a justification for these increased tariffs. The former president has repeatedly criticized China for failing to curb the flow of the lethal drug into the U.S.
Trump also directed his frustration at Canada and Mexico, accusing them of not doing enough to stem the drug’s flow from their borders—a claim both nations have denied. In a parallel move, he imposed a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Canada and Mexico, matching the measures taken against China.
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