Hegseth tones down warnings about China but says US remains committed to Pacific security

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured Pacific allies of Washington's commitment to regional security but softened previous warnings about China's military expansion. He emphasized maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, following a recent Trump-Xi meeting that highlighted efforts to build a 'constructive relationship.' Chinese officials praised the U.S.-China consensus, while U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth criticized the Trump administration's approach to China.