1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:06,090 --> 00:00:07,610 Yes . So 3 00:00:14,159 --> 00:00:17,030 Good afternoon everyone . We're gonna 4 00:00:17,030 --> 00:00:19,141 start with the US press . We're gonna 5 00:00:19,141 --> 00:00:21,308 take 2 from the US . We'll take 2 from 6 00:00:21,308 --> 00:00:23,474 international , and then we'll go from 7 00:00:23,474 --> 00:00:25,586 there depending on the , depending on 8 00:00:25,586 --> 00:00:27,641 the secretary . So let us start with 9 00:00:27,670 --> 00:00:29,892 now hold on John , sir , I'm gonna talk 10 00:00:29,892 --> 00:00:29,700 first . 11 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:36,520 Uh , it is great to be here at NATO 12 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:40,389 with 31 allies also , uh , with my wife 13 00:00:40,389 --> 00:00:42,556 Jenny who's been meeting with families 14 00:00:42,556 --> 00:00:44,667 of US troops both here in Germany and 15 00:00:44,667 --> 00:00:46,667 we're heading to Poland right after 16 00:00:46,667 --> 00:00:48,833 this as well . That's what this is all 17 00:00:48,833 --> 00:00:51,167 about for me , for President Trump , uh , 18 00:00:51,167 --> 00:00:53,167 and the Defense Department . I also 19 00:00:53,167 --> 00:00:55,333 want to express a special thanks uh to 20 00:00:55,333 --> 00:00:55,139 the Secretary General Secretary General 21 00:00:55,139 --> 00:00:58,259 Ruta uh for your boldness , for your 22 00:00:58,259 --> 00:01:00,659 friendship , for your leadership , and 23 00:01:00,659 --> 00:01:03,180 most especially for your urgency , your 24 00:01:03,180 --> 00:01:05,779 urgency of the matter at hand , which 25 00:01:05,779 --> 00:01:07,946 is great to see , uh , from the leader 26 00:01:07,946 --> 00:01:10,389 of NATO . look uh forward to working 27 00:01:10,389 --> 00:01:12,445 very closely with him and his team . 28 00:01:13,690 --> 00:01:15,690 And before we're talking about what 29 00:01:15,690 --> 00:01:17,857 we've done at the ministerial , I want 30 00:01:17,857 --> 00:01:19,801 to reaffirm a few things from this 31 00:01:19,801 --> 00:01:22,250 podium first . As we see it . NATO's 32 00:01:22,250 --> 00:01:25,330 strategic objectives are to prevent 33 00:01:25,330 --> 00:01:28,379 great power conflict in Europe . deter 34 00:01:28,379 --> 00:01:30,910 nuclear and non-nuclear aggression . 35 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:35,550 And defeat threats to treaty allies 36 00:01:35,550 --> 00:01:39,279 should deterrence fail . Second , 37 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:41,208 the US is committed to building a 38 00:01:41,208 --> 00:01:44,870 stronger , more lethal NATO . However , 39 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,360 we must ensure that European and 40 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:50,080 Canadian commitment to Article 3 of 41 00:01:50,080 --> 00:01:53,480 this treaty is just as strong . Article 42 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:56,930 3 . Says that allies , and I quote , 43 00:01:57,599 --> 00:01:59,919 by means of continuous and effective 44 00:01:59,919 --> 00:02:03,040 self-help and mutual aid will maintain 45 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:05,199 and develop their individual and 46 00:02:05,199 --> 00:02:09,119 collective capacity to resist armed 47 00:02:09,119 --> 00:02:12,809 attack . Leaders of our European allies 48 00:02:12,809 --> 00:02:15,738 should take primary responsibility for 49 00:02:15,738 --> 00:02:18,449 defense of the continent . Which means 50 00:02:18,449 --> 00:02:20,789 security ownership by all allies , 51 00:02:21,130 --> 00:02:23,074 guided by a clear understanding of 52 00:02:23,074 --> 00:02:24,960 strategic realities and it's an 53 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:26,682 imperative given the strategic 54 00:02:26,682 --> 00:02:30,660 realities that we face . And that 55 00:02:30,660 --> 00:02:33,860 begins with increasing defense spending . 56 00:02:35,490 --> 00:02:38,330 2% is a start , as President Trump has 57 00:02:38,330 --> 00:02:41,429 said , but it's not enough . Nor is 58 00:02:41,429 --> 00:02:45,229 3% , nor is 4% , more like 59 00:02:45,229 --> 00:02:48,860 5% . Real investment , real 60 00:02:48,860 --> 00:02:52,110 urgency . We can talk all we want about 61 00:02:52,110 --> 00:02:55,850 values , values are important . But 62 00:02:55,850 --> 00:02:59,490 you can't shoot values . You 63 00:02:59,490 --> 00:03:02,899 can't shoot flags . And you can't shoot 64 00:03:02,899 --> 00:03:05,770 strong speeches . There is no 65 00:03:05,770 --> 00:03:09,600 replacement for hard power . As much as 66 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:11,656 we may not want to like the world we 67 00:03:11,656 --> 00:03:13,544 live in , in some cases , there's 68 00:03:13,544 --> 00:03:17,210 nothing like hard power . It should be 69 00:03:17,210 --> 00:03:19,449 obvious that increasing allied European 70 00:03:19,449 --> 00:03:22,570 defense spending is critical , as the 71 00:03:22,570 --> 00:03:24,903 President of the United States has said . 72 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:27,967 Also critical is expanding our defense 73 00:03:27,967 --> 00:03:30,679 industrial base capacity on both sides 74 00:03:30,979 --> 00:03:33,500 of the Atlantic . Our dollars , our 75 00:03:33,500 --> 00:03:37,300 euros , our pounds must become real 76 00:03:37,300 --> 00:03:40,149 capabilities . The US is fully 77 00:03:40,149 --> 00:03:42,038 committed under President Trump's 78 00:03:42,038 --> 00:03:44,330 leadership to pursue these objectives 79 00:03:44,330 --> 00:03:47,229 in in the face of today's threats . 80 00:03:48,850 --> 00:03:51,017 Yesterday I had a chance to attend the 81 00:03:51,017 --> 00:03:53,128 Ukraine Defense Contact Group . Today 82 00:03:53,128 --> 00:03:55,210 participated in both the NATO 83 00:03:55,210 --> 00:03:57,321 ministerial and the Ukraine council . 84 00:03:57,910 --> 00:04:01,520 In both , we discussed Russia's war of 85 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:03,949 aggression against Ukraine . 86 00:04:05,339 --> 00:04:07,339 I had the chance to brief allies on 87 00:04:07,339 --> 00:04:10,300 President Trump's top priority . A 88 00:04:10,300 --> 00:04:14,009 diplomatic peaceful end to this war as 89 00:04:14,009 --> 00:04:17,170 quickly as possible in a manner that 90 00:04:17,170 --> 00:04:19,760 creates enduring and durable peace . 91 00:04:20,899 --> 00:04:23,209 The American Defense Department fully 92 00:04:23,209 --> 00:04:25,290 supports the efforts of the Trump 93 00:04:25,290 --> 00:04:27,609 administration . And we look to allies 94 00:04:27,609 --> 00:04:31,290 to support this important work . With 95 00:04:31,290 --> 00:04:32,957 leading on Ukraine's security 96 00:04:32,957 --> 00:04:35,470 assistance now through increased 97 00:04:35,470 --> 00:04:38,440 contributions . And greater ownership 98 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:40,273 of future security assistance to 99 00:04:40,273 --> 00:04:43,290 Ukraine . To that end , I want to thank 100 00:04:43,700 --> 00:04:46,390 my UK counterpart , Defense Secretary 101 00:04:46,390 --> 00:04:49,100 John Healey , for hosting this Ukraine 102 00:04:49,100 --> 00:04:51,339 defense contact group and for his 103 00:04:51,339 --> 00:04:53,283 leadership on support of Ukraine . 104 00:04:55,649 --> 00:04:57,982 President Trump gave me a clear mission . 105 00:04:58,709 --> 00:05:01,459 Achieve peace through strength . 106 00:05:02,660 --> 00:05:06,500 As well as put America first , our 107 00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:10,140 people , our taxpayers , our borders , 108 00:05:10,420 --> 00:05:13,320 and our security . We are doing this by 109 00:05:13,320 --> 00:05:16,320 reviving the warrior ethos , rebuilding 110 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:19,190 our military , and re-establishing 111 00:05:19,359 --> 00:05:23,359 deterrence . NATO should pursue these 112 00:05:23,359 --> 00:05:27,040 goals as well . NATO is a great 113 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:30,769 alliance . The most successful defense 114 00:05:30,769 --> 00:05:34,760 alliance in history . But to endure for 115 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,109 the future , our partners must do far 116 00:05:38,109 --> 00:05:40,470 more for Europe's defense . 117 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:45,519 We must make NATO great again . 118 00:05:48,519 --> 00:05:50,630 It begins with defense spending . 119 00:05:52,609 --> 00:05:54,553 But must also include reviving the 120 00:05:54,553 --> 00:05:56,839 transatlantic defense industrial base , 121 00:05:57,489 --> 00:05:59,767 rapidly fielding emerging technologies , 122 00:05:59,767 --> 00:06:02,000 prioritizing readiness and lethality , 123 00:06:02,609 --> 00:06:04,609 and establishing real deterrents . 124 00:06:06,809 --> 00:06:08,920 Finally , I want to close with this . 125 00:06:10,369 --> 00:06:13,500 After World War II , First general and 126 00:06:13,500 --> 00:06:16,299 then President Eisenhower was one of 127 00:06:16,299 --> 00:06:18,380 NATO's strongest supporters . He 128 00:06:18,380 --> 00:06:20,547 believed in a strong relationship with 129 00:06:20,547 --> 00:06:23,480 Europe . However , by the end of 130 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:26,720 Eisenhower's presidency , even he was 131 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:28,387 concerned that Europe was not 132 00:06:28,387 --> 00:06:30,609 shouldering enough of its own defense . 133 00:06:32,089 --> 00:06:34,649 Nearly making in Eisenhower's words , 134 00:06:34,809 --> 00:06:38,049 quote , a sucker out of Uncle Sam . 135 00:06:39,290 --> 00:06:41,519 Well , like President Eisenhower , this 136 00:06:41,519 --> 00:06:44,440 administration believes in alliances , 137 00:06:44,679 --> 00:06:48,420 deeply believes in alliances . But make 138 00:06:48,420 --> 00:06:51,260 no mistake , President Trump will not 139 00:06:51,260 --> 00:06:54,100 allow anyone . To turn Uncle Sam 140 00:06:55,059 --> 00:06:58,799 Into Uncle sucker . Thank you , and 141 00:06:58,799 --> 00:07:00,799 we're glad to take some questions . 142 00:07:00,799 --> 00:07:03,140 Thanks very much . Let's start with the 143 00:07:03,140 --> 00:07:05,769 US traveling TV pool with Liz for them . 144 00:07:13,019 --> 00:07:15,186 Thank you Secretary Hegseth . Uh , you 145 00:07:15,186 --> 00:07:17,352 have focused on what Ukraine is giving 146 00:07:17,352 --> 00:07:19,352 up . What concessions will Putin be 147 00:07:19,352 --> 00:07:23,119 asked to make ? Um , well , that's . 148 00:07:24,019 --> 00:07:26,200 I would start by saying the , the 149 00:07:26,200 --> 00:07:28,144 arguments that have been made that 150 00:07:28,144 --> 00:07:30,200 somehow um coming to the table right 151 00:07:30,200 --> 00:07:32,640 now is making concessions uh to 152 00:07:32,640 --> 00:07:34,418 Vladimir Putin outright that we 153 00:07:34,418 --> 00:07:36,584 otherwise or that the president of the 154 00:07:36,584 --> 00:07:38,862 United States shouldn't otherwise make . 155 00:07:38,862 --> 00:07:40,899 I just reject that at its face . 156 00:07:41,619 --> 00:07:43,730 There's a reason why negotiations are 157 00:07:43,730 --> 00:07:46,619 happening right now . Just a few weeks 158 00:07:46,619 --> 00:07:48,730 after President Trump was sworn in as 159 00:07:48,730 --> 00:07:51,140 President of States . Vladimir Putin 160 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,829 responds to strength . In 2014 , he 161 00:07:54,829 --> 00:07:57,029 invaded Crimea , not during the 162 00:07:57,029 --> 00:08:00,299 presidency of Donald Trump . Over 4 163 00:08:00,299 --> 00:08:02,739 years there was no Russian aggression . 164 00:08:03,869 --> 00:08:07,059 From 2016 to 2020 . In 2022 , 165 00:08:07,549 --> 00:08:09,438 Vladimir Putin took aggression on 166 00:08:09,438 --> 00:08:11,327 Ukraine . Once again , not well , 167 00:08:11,327 --> 00:08:13,382 President Trump was president of the 168 00:08:13,382 --> 00:08:16,929 United States . So any suggestion that 169 00:08:17,179 --> 00:08:19,401 President Trump is doing anything other 170 00:08:19,401 --> 00:08:21,401 than negotiating from a position of 171 00:08:21,401 --> 00:08:23,579 strength is on its face a historical 172 00:08:23,579 --> 00:08:27,170 and false . So when you look at what he 173 00:08:27,170 --> 00:08:29,519 may have to give or take , what's in or 174 00:08:29,519 --> 00:08:31,829 what's out in those negotiations , we 175 00:08:31,829 --> 00:08:33,830 have the perfect deal maker at the 176 00:08:33,830 --> 00:08:36,309 table from a position of strength to 177 00:08:36,309 --> 00:08:38,789 deal with both Vladimir Putin and 178 00:08:38,789 --> 00:08:40,989 Zelinsky . No one's going to get 179 00:08:40,989 --> 00:08:42,545 everything that they want , 180 00:08:42,909 --> 00:08:44,687 understanding who committed the 181 00:08:44,687 --> 00:08:46,798 aggression in the first place . But I 182 00:08:46,798 --> 00:08:48,798 challenge anyone else to think of a 183 00:08:48,798 --> 00:08:50,853 world leader at this moment who with 184 00:08:50,853 --> 00:08:52,909 credibility and strength could bring 185 00:08:52,909 --> 00:08:54,965 those two leaders to the table . And 186 00:08:54,965 --> 00:08:57,640 forge a durable peace that ultimately 187 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,840 serves the interests of Ukraine , stops 188 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:03,119 the killing and the death which 189 00:09:03,119 --> 00:09:05,341 President Trump has been clear he wants 190 00:09:05,341 --> 00:09:07,280 to do and hopefully ultimately is 191 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:10,000 guaranteed guaranteed by strength of 192 00:09:10,000 --> 00:09:12,599 Europeans who they're prepared to back 193 00:09:12,599 --> 00:09:13,599 it up . 194 00:09:16,750 --> 00:09:20,020 Uh , why not invoke Article 5 then for 195 00:09:20,020 --> 00:09:22,659 the NATO peacekeeping forces that could 196 00:09:22,659 --> 00:09:24,881 potentially be deployed , um , like how 197 00:09:24,881 --> 00:09:27,159 does that deter President Putin ? Well , 198 00:09:27,159 --> 00:09:29,219 I would say I want to be clear about 199 00:09:29,219 --> 00:09:31,859 something as it pertains to NATO 200 00:09:31,859 --> 00:09:34,026 membership not being realistic outcome 201 00:09:34,026 --> 00:09:36,026 for negotiations . That's something 202 00:09:36,026 --> 00:09:38,137 that was stated as part of my remarks 203 00:09:38,137 --> 00:09:40,359 here as part of a coordination with how 204 00:09:40,359 --> 00:09:42,026 we're executing these ongoing 205 00:09:42,026 --> 00:09:44,299 negotiations which are led by President 206 00:09:44,299 --> 00:09:47,590 Trump . All of that said . These 207 00:09:47,590 --> 00:09:49,923 negotiations are led by President Trump . 208 00:09:50,780 --> 00:09:53,219 Everything is on the table in his 209 00:09:53,219 --> 00:09:55,330 conversations with Vladimir Putin and 210 00:09:55,330 --> 00:09:57,940 Zelinsky . What he decides to allow or 211 00:09:57,940 --> 00:09:59,884 not allow is at the purview of the 212 00:09:59,884 --> 00:10:01,996 leader of the free world of President 213 00:10:01,996 --> 00:10:04,051 Trump . So I'm not going to stand at 214 00:10:04,051 --> 00:10:06,218 this podium and declare what President 215 00:10:06,218 --> 00:10:08,380 Trump will do or won't do , what will 216 00:10:08,380 --> 00:10:10,619 be in or what will be out , what 217 00:10:10,619 --> 00:10:12,452 concessions will be made or what 218 00:10:12,452 --> 00:10:14,880 concessions are not made . I I can look 219 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:17,400 as our team has of what's realistic 220 00:10:17,799 --> 00:10:20,650 likely on an outcome . I think realism 221 00:10:20,650 --> 00:10:22,206 is an important part of the 222 00:10:22,206 --> 00:10:24,428 conversation that hasn't existed enough 223 00:10:25,429 --> 00:10:27,596 inside conversations amongst friends , 224 00:10:27,596 --> 00:10:29,651 but simply pointing out realism like 225 00:10:29,651 --> 00:10:31,651 the borders won't be rolled back to 226 00:10:31,651 --> 00:10:33,873 what everybody would like them to be in 227 00:10:33,873 --> 00:10:35,929 2014 is not a concession to Vladimir 228 00:10:35,929 --> 00:10:38,096 Putin . It's a recognition of the hard 229 00:10:38,096 --> 00:10:40,207 power realities on the ground after a 230 00:10:40,207 --> 00:10:42,318 lot of investment and sacrifice first 231 00:10:42,318 --> 00:10:44,373 by the Ukrainians and then by allies 232 00:10:44,609 --> 00:10:46,276 and then a realization that a 233 00:10:46,276 --> 00:10:48,331 negotiated peace is going to be some 234 00:10:48,331 --> 00:10:50,165 sort of demarcation that neither 235 00:10:50,165 --> 00:10:52,809 neither side wants , but it's not my 236 00:10:52,809 --> 00:10:55,200 job as the Secretary of Defense to 237 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:57,570 define the parameters of the President 238 00:10:57,570 --> 00:10:59,681 of the United States as he leads some 239 00:10:59,681 --> 00:11:01,792 of the most complex and consequential 240 00:11:01,792 --> 00:11:04,349 negotiations in the world . Sticking 241 00:11:04,349 --> 00:11:06,293 with the US press , let us go with 242 00:11:06,293 --> 00:11:09,429 Axios's Zach Basu . Right in the in the 243 00:11:09,429 --> 00:11:12,900 far right . Uh , thank you , Mr . 244 00:11:12,950 --> 00:11:15,061 Secretary . Given the position you've 245 00:11:15,061 --> 00:11:17,380 now staked out , what leverage exactly 246 00:11:17,380 --> 00:11:19,602 is Ukraine being left with , especially 247 00:11:19,869 --> 00:11:21,980 if the US also plans to wind down its 248 00:11:21,980 --> 00:11:24,150 military aid ? And then quickly , if a 249 00:11:24,150 --> 00:11:26,429 NATO ally is attacked by Russia or any 250 00:11:26,429 --> 00:11:28,739 country , will the US unequivocally 251 00:11:28,739 --> 00:11:31,349 uphold its obligations under Article 5 252 00:11:31,349 --> 00:11:33,571 regardless of that country's we've said 253 00:11:33,571 --> 00:11:35,571 we're committed to the alliance and 254 00:11:35,571 --> 00:11:34,869 that's part of the alliance , right ? 255 00:11:34,909 --> 00:11:37,131 You point out Article 5 , you point out 256 00:11:37,131 --> 00:11:40,650 Article 3 . It's just a cheap . I'm not 257 00:11:40,650 --> 00:11:43,010 saying it's cheap coming from you , but 258 00:11:43,010 --> 00:11:45,066 it's just a cheap political point to 259 00:11:45,066 --> 00:11:46,732 say , oh , we've left all the 260 00:11:46,732 --> 00:11:49,330 negotiating cards off the table uh in 261 00:11:49,330 --> 00:11:51,289 by recognizing some realities that 262 00:11:51,289 --> 00:11:54,830 exist on the ground . Um President 263 00:11:55,159 --> 00:11:57,270 Zelinsky understands the realities on 264 00:11:57,270 --> 00:11:58,881 the ground . President Putin 265 00:11:58,881 --> 00:12:01,215 understands the realities on the ground , 266 00:12:01,215 --> 00:12:03,437 and President Trump as a dealmaker , as 267 00:12:03,437 --> 00:12:05,270 a negotiator , understands those 268 00:12:05,270 --> 00:12:07,159 dynamics as well . By no means is 269 00:12:07,159 --> 00:12:09,048 anything that I state here , even 270 00:12:09,048 --> 00:12:10,881 though we lead the most powerful 271 00:12:10,881 --> 00:12:13,048 military in the world , hemming in the 272 00:12:13,048 --> 00:12:15,215 commander in chief in his negotiations 273 00:12:15,215 --> 00:12:17,326 to ultimately decide where it goes or 274 00:12:17,326 --> 00:12:19,326 does not go . Oh , he's got all the 275 00:12:19,326 --> 00:12:20,992 cards he would like . And the 276 00:12:20,992 --> 00:12:23,048 interesting part is oftentimes while 277 00:12:23,048 --> 00:12:25,289 the conventional status quo mindset or 278 00:12:25,289 --> 00:12:28,200 the legacy media wants to play checkers , 279 00:12:28,369 --> 00:12:30,258 the same checkers game we've been 280 00:12:30,258 --> 00:12:32,890 playing for decades . President Trump 281 00:12:32,890 --> 00:12:35,112 time and time again finds a way to play 282 00:12:35,112 --> 00:12:38,359 chess as a dealmaker , as a businessman 283 00:12:38,359 --> 00:12:40,581 who understands how to create realities 284 00:12:40,581 --> 00:12:42,748 and opportunities where they otherwise 285 00:12:42,748 --> 00:12:45,049 may not exist . Take for example the 286 00:12:45,049 --> 00:12:46,827 conversations that our Treasury 287 00:12:46,827 --> 00:12:48,849 secretary had in Kiev recently with 288 00:12:48,849 --> 00:12:50,627 President Zelinsky , which will 289 00:12:50,627 --> 00:12:52,460 continue in Munich with our vice 290 00:12:52,460 --> 00:12:54,780 president and secretary of state around 291 00:12:54,780 --> 00:12:56,613 investments and resources inside 292 00:12:56,613 --> 00:12:58,780 Ukraine . Uh , I , I don't want to get 293 00:12:58,780 --> 00:13:00,891 ahead of any decision or announcement 294 00:13:00,891 --> 00:13:02,836 that could be made there . Uh , it 295 00:13:02,836 --> 00:13:05,058 could be any number of parameters , but 296 00:13:05,058 --> 00:13:07,169 President Trump as a deal maker and a 297 00:13:07,169 --> 00:13:09,002 businessman , recognizes that an 298 00:13:09,002 --> 00:13:11,169 investment relationship with Ukraine , 299 00:13:11,169 --> 00:13:13,169 ultimately in the long term for the 300 00:13:13,169 --> 00:13:14,947 United States . It's a lot more 301 00:13:14,947 --> 00:13:17,002 tangible than any promises or shared 302 00:13:17,002 --> 00:13:19,113 values we might have , even though we 303 00:13:19,113 --> 00:13:21,650 have them . Um , there is something to 304 00:13:21,650 --> 00:13:23,940 relationships and deals in real ways , 305 00:13:24,049 --> 00:13:26,160 whether militarily or economically or 306 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,650 diplomatically that he sees that are 307 00:13:28,650 --> 00:13:31,239 possibilities that could forge together . 308 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:34,080 Uh , a lot of opportunities to show 309 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:36,200 that solidarity that Vladimir Putin 310 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:38,840 will clearly recognize that's one of 311 00:13:38,840 --> 00:13:41,619 any number of other opportunities that 312 00:13:41,619 --> 00:13:43,730 this president will leverage in these 313 00:13:43,730 --> 00:13:45,786 high stakes negotiations . So I just 314 00:13:45,786 --> 00:13:48,000 reject on its face the premise that 315 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:50,479 somehow President Trump isn't dealing 316 00:13:50,479 --> 00:13:53,760 with a full set of cards uh when he's 317 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:55,871 the one that can determine ultimately 318 00:13:55,871 --> 00:13:58,059 what cards he holds . Right now 319 00:13:58,059 --> 00:14:00,170 shifting to the international press , 320 00:14:00,170 --> 00:14:02,115 we'll take the French wire service 321 00:14:02,115 --> 00:14:04,500 Agence France Presse with Max Dela . 322 00:14:13,909 --> 00:14:16,479 Thank you very much , uh , Secretary of 323 00:14:16,479 --> 00:14:19,739 Defense . um , can you , you've spoken 324 00:14:19,739 --> 00:14:22,179 about trying to force both Putin and uh 325 00:14:22,179 --> 00:14:25,039 Zelensky to the table . Can you give a 326 00:14:25,039 --> 00:14:27,440 guarantee that no deal will be forced 327 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:29,559 on Ukraine that they do not want to 328 00:14:29,559 --> 00:14:31,781 accept , and also that you will include 329 00:14:31,781 --> 00:14:34,359 Europe in the negotiations about their 330 00:14:34,359 --> 00:14:37,200 own about an issue that concerns 331 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,719 European security and can you tell us 332 00:14:39,719 --> 00:14:41,886 whether the US will continue to supply 333 00:14:41,886 --> 00:14:44,429 arms to Ukraine during any negotiations ? 334 00:14:45,669 --> 00:14:47,947 Well , the first part of your question , 335 00:14:47,947 --> 00:14:50,169 that's not ultimately my decision . The 336 00:14:50,169 --> 00:14:52,336 president will lead these negotiations 337 00:14:52,336 --> 00:14:52,270 alongside our Secretary of State , our 338 00:14:52,270 --> 00:14:55,950 national security adviser , and 339 00:14:55,950 --> 00:14:58,061 numerous other officials that will be 340 00:14:58,061 --> 00:15:00,228 involved , and ultimately we've played 341 00:15:00,228 --> 00:15:02,394 our role in talking to our NATO allies 342 00:15:02,394 --> 00:15:04,283 about what that would look like . 343 00:15:04,283 --> 00:15:06,394 President Trump , I want to point out 344 00:15:06,394 --> 00:15:08,561 I've got the truths right here that he 345 00:15:08,561 --> 00:15:11,429 posted , called both in case we missed 346 00:15:11,429 --> 00:15:14,549 it . Vladimir Putin and President 347 00:15:14,549 --> 00:15:17,700 Zelinsky called them both . Any 348 00:15:17,700 --> 00:15:20,289 negotiation that's had will be had with 349 00:15:20,859 --> 00:15:23,260 both . I also very encouraged by what 350 00:15:23,260 --> 00:15:25,371 the Secretary General has said here . 351 00:15:25,460 --> 00:15:28,849 Uh , clearly a tune . To the realities 352 00:15:28,849 --> 00:15:31,400 of the moment , the need for peace , 353 00:15:31,969 --> 00:15:34,191 and that the NATO alliance and European 354 00:15:34,191 --> 00:15:36,136 members will play a role in that , 355 00:15:36,549 --> 00:15:39,369 ultimately . President Trump speaking 356 00:15:39,369 --> 00:15:41,425 to those two countries is central to 357 00:15:41,425 --> 00:15:43,591 the deal being made , but it affects a 358 00:15:43,591 --> 00:15:45,758 lot of people , of course , so I'm not 359 00:15:45,758 --> 00:15:47,813 gonna , I'm not gonna be involved in 360 00:15:47,813 --> 00:15:50,091 those intimate diplomatic negotiations . 361 00:15:50,091 --> 00:15:52,258 That's for the the pros atop the Trump 362 00:15:52,258 --> 00:15:54,258 administration who do diplomacy and 363 00:15:54,258 --> 00:15:56,369 negotiations . Ultimately is security 364 00:15:56,369 --> 00:15:58,570 assistance , uh , we have continued to 365 00:15:58,570 --> 00:16:01,219 provide what has been allocated . Uh , 366 00:16:01,489 --> 00:16:03,545 I think it would be fair to say that 367 00:16:03,545 --> 00:16:05,619 things like future funding . Either 368 00:16:05,619 --> 00:16:09,059 less or more could be on the table in 369 00:16:09,059 --> 00:16:11,099 negotiations as well . Whatever the 370 00:16:11,099 --> 00:16:14,020 president determines is the most robust 371 00:16:14,020 --> 00:16:16,500 carrot or stick on either side to 372 00:16:16,500 --> 00:16:19,780 induce a durable peace , understanding 373 00:16:20,299 --> 00:16:22,521 obviously the motivations that Vladimir 374 00:16:22,521 --> 00:16:24,743 Putin has had on Ukraine for quite some 375 00:16:24,743 --> 00:16:26,910 time . Thank you . We'll have a second 376 00:16:26,910 --> 00:16:29,021 international press outlet . We'll go 377 00:16:29,021 --> 00:16:30,910 with the German paper Frankfurter 378 00:16:30,910 --> 00:16:33,021 Allgemeine Zeitung with Doctor Thomas 379 00:16:33,021 --> 00:16:36,869 Kuka . Thanks a lot . 380 00:16:40,789 --> 00:16:42,900 Good afternoon , Mr . Secretary . Two 381 00:16:42,900 --> 00:16:44,780 questions please . The first one 382 00:16:44,780 --> 00:16:47,099 regarding the new defense investment 383 00:16:47,099 --> 00:16:50,270 pledge . When you and President Trump 384 00:16:50,270 --> 00:16:53,700 speak about raising it to 5% , do you 385 00:16:53,700 --> 00:16:57,659 mean European allies only , or do 386 00:16:57,659 --> 00:17:00,940 you mean the US as well , which is 387 00:17:00,940 --> 00:17:03,859 currently at 3.4% according to NATO 388 00:17:03,859 --> 00:17:07,030 statistics ? And if the letter is true , 389 00:17:07,369 --> 00:17:09,591 when do you think the US could possibly 390 00:17:09,591 --> 00:17:11,729 reach the goal of spending 5% on 391 00:17:11,729 --> 00:17:14,007 defense ? That's number one . Number 2 , 392 00:17:14,170 --> 00:17:16,810 you said yesterday that Europeans need 393 00:17:16,810 --> 00:17:18,532 to take ownership of their own 394 00:17:18,532 --> 00:17:21,050 conventional security . So 395 00:17:22,510 --> 00:17:24,859 should Europeans expect that ultimately 396 00:17:24,859 --> 00:17:27,550 the US would withdraw the bulk of their 397 00:17:27,550 --> 00:17:30,430 forces from Europe and just leave and 398 00:17:30,430 --> 00:17:32,510 plea in place what is necessary for 399 00:17:32,510 --> 00:17:34,621 nuclear deterrence ? I know there's a 400 00:17:34,621 --> 00:17:36,788 revision going on . I don't expect you 401 00:17:36,788 --> 00:17:40,430 to name any numbers , but maybe give 402 00:17:40,430 --> 00:17:42,939 us an outlook of what we should expect . 403 00:17:42,979 --> 00:17:46,650 Thank you . I think nobody can or 404 00:17:46,650 --> 00:17:49,329 should contest the extent of America's 405 00:17:49,329 --> 00:17:51,410 willingness to invest in national 406 00:17:51,410 --> 00:17:54,130 security . Um , we have a budget of 407 00:17:54,130 --> 00:17:57,819 $850 billion spent on defense . Um , 408 00:17:59,010 --> 00:18:01,066 I'm in the business of ensuring that 409 00:18:01,066 --> 00:18:03,177 every dollar of that is used wisely , 410 00:18:03,177 --> 00:18:05,599 which is why we're . Pushing a Pentagon 411 00:18:05,599 --> 00:18:07,800 audit and making sure that we're 412 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:09,911 cutting fat so that we've got more at 413 00:18:09,911 --> 00:18:11,900 the at the tip of the spear . 414 00:18:12,609 --> 00:18:16,349 3.4% is a very robust investment , 415 00:18:17,719 --> 00:18:20,910 larger than most of our allies within 416 00:18:20,910 --> 00:18:23,760 NATO . Any defense any defense minister 417 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:25,927 or secretary of defense that tells you 418 00:18:25,927 --> 00:18:28,093 they wouldn't want more would be lying 419 00:18:28,093 --> 00:18:29,982 to you . Uh , I understand that . 420 00:18:29,982 --> 00:18:31,982 Ultimately , we have , uh , our own 421 00:18:31,982 --> 00:18:34,038 budgetary considerations to be had , 422 00:18:34,038 --> 00:18:37,459 but I don't think an unwillingness . Of 423 00:18:37,459 --> 00:18:40,829 NATO allies to invest in their own 424 00:18:40,829 --> 00:18:43,219 defense spending can be dismissed away 425 00:18:43,219 --> 00:18:45,489 by trying to point at the $900 billion 426 00:18:45,489 --> 00:18:47,545 that America has invested around the 427 00:18:47,545 --> 00:18:49,711 globe to include the NATO alliance and 428 00:18:49,711 --> 00:18:51,378 saying that's not enough . So 429 00:18:51,380 --> 00:18:53,660 ultimately we are very much committed 430 00:18:53,660 --> 00:18:56,239 to the NATO alliance and to our allies , 431 00:18:56,819 --> 00:18:59,189 but without burden sharing . Without 432 00:18:59,189 --> 00:19:01,245 creating the right set of incentives 433 00:19:01,270 --> 00:19:03,609 for European countries to invest , uh , 434 00:19:03,630 --> 00:19:05,741 then we would be forced to attempt to 435 00:19:05,741 --> 00:19:07,741 be everywhere for everybody all the 436 00:19:07,741 --> 00:19:09,630 time . Which in a world of fiscal 437 00:19:09,630 --> 00:19:11,800 restraints . again , to get back to 438 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:14,719 that word reality , just not reality . 439 00:19:15,579 --> 00:19:18,020 So , yes , we will continue to spend 440 00:19:18,020 --> 00:19:20,609 robustly our expectation of our friends , 441 00:19:20,859 --> 00:19:24,099 and we say this in solidarity , is you 442 00:19:24,099 --> 00:19:27,219 have to spend more . On your defense 443 00:19:27,589 --> 00:19:30,099 for your country on that continent , 444 00:19:30,579 --> 00:19:32,357 understanding that the American 445 00:19:32,357 --> 00:19:34,523 military and the American people stand 446 00:19:34,523 --> 00:19:36,550 beside you as we have in NATO , but 447 00:19:36,550 --> 00:19:38,772 can't have the expectation of being the 448 00:19:38,772 --> 00:19:40,883 permanent guarantor , as I alluded to 449 00:19:41,589 --> 00:19:43,811 from what even Eisenhower observed post 450 00:19:44,069 --> 00:19:46,819 World War II . That shift has to happen . 451 00:19:47,349 --> 00:19:50,260 The peace dividend has to end . There 452 00:19:50,260 --> 00:19:53,060 are autocrats with ambitions around the 453 00:19:53,060 --> 00:19:55,380 globe from Russia to the communist 454 00:19:55,380 --> 00:19:57,859 Chinese . Either the West awakens to 455 00:19:57,859 --> 00:19:59,739 that reality and creates combat 456 00:19:59,739 --> 00:20:01,628 multipliers with their allies and 457 00:20:01,628 --> 00:20:04,579 partners to include NATO , or we will 458 00:20:04,579 --> 00:20:06,619 abdicate that responsibility to 459 00:20:06,619 --> 00:20:09,849 somebody else with all the wrong values . 460 00:20:10,430 --> 00:20:12,652 Uh , you mentioned Europe . We have not 461 00:20:14,290 --> 00:20:16,569 said in any way that we're abandoning 462 00:20:16,569 --> 00:20:18,736 our allies in Europe . There have been 463 00:20:18,736 --> 00:20:20,791 no decisions based on troop levels . 464 00:20:20,791 --> 00:20:22,902 Again , that's a discussion to be had 465 00:20:22,902 --> 00:20:25,369 by the commander in chief in these high 466 00:20:25,369 --> 00:20:28,250 stakes negotiations , and that would 467 00:20:28,250 --> 00:20:31,500 most likely come later on . But there 468 00:20:31,500 --> 00:20:34,140 is a recognition that the ambitious of 469 00:20:34,140 --> 00:20:37,229 the , the ambitions . Of the communist 470 00:20:37,229 --> 00:20:39,670 Chinese are a threat to free people 471 00:20:39,670 --> 00:20:41,559 everywhere , to include America's 472 00:20:41,559 --> 00:20:44,260 interests in the Pacific . And it makes 473 00:20:44,260 --> 00:20:47,060 a lot of sense , just , just in a 474 00:20:47,060 --> 00:20:50,670 common sense way . To use our 475 00:20:50,670 --> 00:20:53,329 comparative advantages . European 476 00:20:53,329 --> 00:20:56,689 countries spending here in defense of 477 00:20:56,689 --> 00:20:58,810 this continent in defense of allies 478 00:20:58,810 --> 00:21:01,329 here against an aggressor on this 479 00:21:01,329 --> 00:21:03,969 continent with ambitions that strikes 480 00:21:03,969 --> 00:21:06,025 me as the right place to and I don't 481 00:21:06,025 --> 00:21:08,247 say that in a condescending way . I say 482 00:21:08,247 --> 00:21:10,413 that in a common sense practical way . 483 00:21:10,413 --> 00:21:12,525 Investing in defense on the continent 484 00:21:12,525 --> 00:21:14,760 makes sense . We support that as well . 485 00:21:14,969 --> 00:21:17,080 It also makes sense comparatively and 486 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:19,358 geographically . For the United States , 487 00:21:19,358 --> 00:21:21,469 along with allies in the Pacific like 488 00:21:21,469 --> 00:21:23,136 Japan and South Korea and the 489 00:21:23,136 --> 00:21:25,358 Philippines and Australia and others to 490 00:21:25,358 --> 00:21:27,810 also invest in allies and partners and 491 00:21:27,810 --> 00:21:30,209 capabilities in the Pacific to project 492 00:21:30,209 --> 00:21:33,359 power there in service of deterrence . 493 00:21:33,849 --> 00:21:36,489 That deterrent effect in the Pacific is 494 00:21:36,489 --> 00:21:38,656 one that really can only be led by the 495 00:21:38,656 --> 00:21:40,949 United States . We wish we could lead 496 00:21:40,949 --> 00:21:43,349 everywhere at all times . We will stand 497 00:21:43,349 --> 00:21:45,910 in solidarity with allies and partners 498 00:21:46,180 --> 00:21:48,310 and encourage everyone to invest in 499 00:21:48,310 --> 00:21:50,477 order to have forced multiplication of 500 00:21:50,477 --> 00:21:52,550 what we represent , but it requires 501 00:21:52,550 --> 00:21:55,739 realistic conversations . Those with 502 00:21:55,739 --> 00:21:58,380 disingenuous motives in the media . I 503 00:21:58,380 --> 00:22:00,602 don't mean to look at you , just saying 504 00:22:00,602 --> 00:22:02,713 anyone that suggests it's abandonment 505 00:22:02,819 --> 00:22:04,819 are trying to drive a wedge between 506 00:22:04,819 --> 00:22:06,819 allies that does not exist . We are 507 00:22:06,819 --> 00:22:09,290 committed to that NATO alliance . We 508 00:22:09,290 --> 00:22:11,179 understand the importance of that 509 00:22:11,179 --> 00:22:13,234 partnership , but it can't endure on 510 00:22:13,234 --> 00:22:15,401 the status quo forever in light of the 511 00:22:15,401 --> 00:22:17,568 threats we face and fiscal realities . 512 00:22:17,568 --> 00:22:19,734 Europe has to spend more . NATO has to 513 00:22:19,734 --> 00:22:22,050 spend more , has to invest more , and 514 00:22:22,050 --> 00:22:24,050 we're very encouraged by what the 515 00:22:24,050 --> 00:22:25,883 Secretary General has said , and 516 00:22:25,883 --> 00:22:28,050 frankly behind closed doors what a lot 517 00:22:28,050 --> 00:22:29,939 of our allies have said as well , 518 00:22:29,939 --> 00:22:32,050 acknowledging that reality and that's 519 00:22:32,050 --> 00:22:34,217 why when I say make NATO great again . 520 00:22:34,250 --> 00:22:36,472 It's what President Trump set out to do 521 00:22:36,472 --> 00:22:40,380 in 2017 . The press said 522 00:22:40,619 --> 00:22:42,675 President Trump is abandoning NATO . 523 00:22:43,140 --> 00:22:45,029 He's turning his back on our NATO 524 00:22:45,029 --> 00:22:46,807 allies . That's that's what the 525 00:22:46,807 --> 00:22:49,859 headlines read in 2017 and 2018 . What 526 00:22:49,859 --> 00:22:52,630 actually happened ? That tough , tough 527 00:22:52,630 --> 00:22:55,400 conversation created even more 528 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:57,719 investment to the point where now 529 00:22:57,719 --> 00:22:59,775 almost every NATO country is meeting 530 00:22:59,775 --> 00:23:01,552 the 2% goal that was said to be 531 00:23:01,552 --> 00:23:03,979 egregious when he first said it . Now 532 00:23:03,979 --> 00:23:06,349 European countries are stepping up and 533 00:23:06,349 --> 00:23:08,460 President Trump continues to ring the 534 00:23:08,460 --> 00:23:10,979 alarm bell that even more investment is 535 00:23:10,979 --> 00:23:13,689 required considering where we are , uh , 536 00:23:13,699 --> 00:23:16,060 so suggestions of abandonment otherwise 537 00:23:16,060 --> 00:23:18,339 continue to be disingenuous , uh , and 538 00:23:18,339 --> 00:23:20,561 we are , we're proud to be part of this 539 00:23:20,561 --> 00:23:22,617 alliance and stand by it . I'll I'll 540 00:23:22,617 --> 00:23:24,819 take a couple more . Why don't we take 541 00:23:24,819 --> 00:23:27,339 one from a US outlet and one from an 542 00:23:27,339 --> 00:23:29,672 international outlet with the US outlet , 543 00:23:29,819 --> 00:23:32,189 pardon me , sir , uh . What we're gonna 544 00:23:32,189 --> 00:23:34,560 take uh from the US is Logan Rattik 545 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:36,520 from Newsmax , please . 546 00:23:40,150 --> 00:23:42,039 You talked about expanding the uh 547 00:23:42,039 --> 00:23:44,869 defense industrial base uh and also uh 548 00:23:44,869 --> 00:23:47,189 expediting foreign military sales . Can 549 00:23:47,189 --> 00:23:49,411 you expand on that a little bit and how 550 00:23:49,411 --> 00:23:51,578 important that is to NATO ? Well , one 551 00:23:51,578 --> 00:23:54,839 of the uh self-evident . Um 552 00:23:56,069 --> 00:23:57,902 Conclusions of the of the war in 553 00:23:57,902 --> 00:23:59,958 Ukraine was the underinvestment that 554 00:23:59,958 --> 00:24:02,180 both the European continent and America 555 00:24:02,180 --> 00:24:04,236 has had unfortunately in the defense 556 00:24:04,236 --> 00:24:06,069 industrial base . The ability to 557 00:24:06,069 --> 00:24:07,958 produce munitions , uh , emerging 558 00:24:07,958 --> 00:24:10,369 technologies rapidly and field them , 559 00:24:11,109 --> 00:24:13,220 uh , was a blind spot exposed through 560 00:24:13,220 --> 00:24:15,053 the aggression against Ukraine . 561 00:24:15,709 --> 00:24:17,876 Ukraine has responded to that as we've 562 00:24:17,876 --> 00:24:20,153 had a chance to listen to a great deal . 563 00:24:20,153 --> 00:24:22,320 Europe is responding to that and so is 564 00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:24,598 America . We have to do more to ensure . 565 00:24:24,598 --> 00:24:26,598 Whether you call it the arsenal for 566 00:24:26,598 --> 00:24:28,820 democracy or defending the free world , 567 00:24:28,820 --> 00:24:31,160 if America can't build and export and 568 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:33,280 build and provide rapid capabilities 569 00:24:33,280 --> 00:24:35,336 because we're too stale or static or 570 00:24:35,336 --> 00:24:37,669 bureaucratic or the Pentagon is bloated , 571 00:24:37,669 --> 00:24:39,780 um , then we're not able to field the 572 00:24:39,780 --> 00:24:42,002 systems we need in the future . So deep 573 00:24:42,002 --> 00:24:44,169 and dramatic reforms are coming at the 574 00:24:44,169 --> 00:24:46,336 Defense Department with the leadership 575 00:24:46,336 --> 00:24:48,558 of President Trump to ensure that we're 576 00:24:48,558 --> 00:24:50,447 investing robustly in our defense 577 00:24:50,447 --> 00:24:49,849 industrial base , a great example of 578 00:24:49,849 --> 00:24:53,310 shipbuilding . We need . To vastly 579 00:24:53,310 --> 00:24:55,532 increase our ability to build ships and 580 00:24:55,532 --> 00:24:57,754 submarines , not just for ourselves but 581 00:24:57,754 --> 00:24:59,921 to honor our obligations to our allies 582 00:24:59,921 --> 00:25:02,032 as well , and , and we will do that . 583 00:25:02,032 --> 00:25:04,254 Foreign military sales is another thing 584 00:25:04,254 --> 00:25:03,510 I mentioned this morning with the 585 00:25:03,510 --> 00:25:06,140 Secretary General . Um , we have for 586 00:25:06,229 --> 00:25:09,349 for a long time in the country by with 587 00:25:09,349 --> 00:25:11,571 and through that our allies are able to 588 00:25:11,571 --> 00:25:13,516 supply major platforms and weapons 589 00:25:13,516 --> 00:25:15,682 systems like the F-35 and the Patriots 590 00:25:15,682 --> 00:25:17,793 and others . Whatever the system is , 591 00:25:17,989 --> 00:25:20,829 we need to reform that process so it's 592 00:25:20,829 --> 00:25:23,750 quicker . So a request today isn't 593 00:25:23,750 --> 00:25:26,430 delivered 7 years from now , but 3 594 00:25:26,430 --> 00:25:28,630 years from now with less red tape and 595 00:25:28,630 --> 00:25:30,741 with the most efficient and effective 596 00:25:30,741 --> 00:25:32,963 technology possible . We hear that from 597 00:25:32,963 --> 00:25:35,186 our allies , and that's part of being a 598 00:25:35,186 --> 00:25:37,241 good faith partner is we're going to 599 00:25:37,241 --> 00:25:39,186 invest in our defense industrial . 600 00:25:39,186 --> 00:25:41,019 We're going to make sure foreign 601 00:25:41,019 --> 00:25:43,352 military sales are as rapid as possible , 602 00:25:43,352 --> 00:25:45,463 which again is a force multiplier for 603 00:25:45,463 --> 00:25:47,630 American power , which is something we 604 00:25:47,630 --> 00:25:49,741 want to do in a contested world . For 605 00:25:49,741 --> 00:25:49,505 our final question , we'll go to an 606 00:25:49,505 --> 00:25:51,505 international outlet , the Japanese 607 00:25:51,505 --> 00:25:54,055 service NHK with Suchio Sugita , please . 608 00:25:57,920 --> 00:26:00,839 Satya , the Japanese TV station , thank 609 00:26:00,839 --> 00:26:02,950 you very much . I'd like to ask about 610 00:26:02,950 --> 00:26:05,319 uh China , as you mentioned that the US 611 00:26:05,319 --> 00:26:07,479 will be prioritizing and deterring 612 00:26:07,479 --> 00:26:10,719 China . What role will you be expecting 613 00:26:10,719 --> 00:26:13,439 Japan and IP4 countries to play in this 614 00:26:13,439 --> 00:26:15,717 context ? Sure , I mean , first of all , 615 00:26:15,717 --> 00:26:17,883 I would point out that President Trump 616 00:26:17,883 --> 00:26:19,883 has expressed a strong relationship 617 00:26:19,883 --> 00:26:22,106 with Xi Jinping . Uh , we don't have an 618 00:26:22,106 --> 00:26:24,328 inevitable desire to clash with China . 619 00:26:24,328 --> 00:26:26,420 There's a recognition that there are 620 00:26:26,420 --> 00:26:29,930 divergent interests which lead to a 621 00:26:29,930 --> 00:26:32,329 need for strength on the American side 622 00:26:32,329 --> 00:26:34,385 to ensure our interests are advanced 623 00:26:34,385 --> 00:26:36,496 and that ultimately any aggression is 624 00:26:36,496 --> 00:26:38,607 deterred . Uh , that's a real thing , 625 00:26:38,607 --> 00:26:40,551 but we don't feel like conflict is 626 00:26:40,551 --> 00:26:40,449 inevitable and certainly don't seek 627 00:26:40,449 --> 00:26:42,393 conflict with China and that's why 628 00:26:42,393 --> 00:26:44,650 President Trump has , uh , that good 629 00:26:44,650 --> 00:26:46,761 relationship with Xi Jinping . But it 630 00:26:46,761 --> 00:26:48,928 was prudent for us to work with allies 631 00:26:48,928 --> 00:26:51,039 and partners in the Pacific to ensure 632 00:26:51,039 --> 00:26:52,928 that that deterrence , hard power 633 00:26:52,928 --> 00:26:55,400 deterrence , uh , not just reputational 634 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:57,520 but reality exists , and that's why a 635 00:26:57,520 --> 00:26:59,242 lot of my first phone calls as 636 00:26:59,242 --> 00:27:01,298 Secretary of Defense were to Pacific 637 00:27:01,298 --> 00:27:03,910 allies to Australia , uh , to Japan , 638 00:27:04,040 --> 00:27:06,151 to South Korea , to the Philippines , 639 00:27:06,151 --> 00:27:08,599 and others , and will continue um 640 00:27:09,030 --> 00:27:12,839 because that just as this alliance in 641 00:27:12,839 --> 00:27:15,189 Europe is critical . Working by with 642 00:27:15,189 --> 00:27:17,411 and through allies and partners in that 643 00:27:17,411 --> 00:27:19,467 region who understand the reality of 644 00:27:19,467 --> 00:27:21,467 the ascended Chinese threat will be 645 00:27:21,467 --> 00:27:23,633 critical . It can't be America alone . 646 00:27:23,633 --> 00:27:25,910 It won't be America alone if we are to 647 00:27:25,910 --> 00:27:29,150 deter that . So it's , it is a focus . 648 00:27:29,189 --> 00:27:31,729 I've articulated that from day one . 649 00:27:32,829 --> 00:27:35,150 America achieves strength , whether 650 00:27:35,150 --> 00:27:38,109 it's in this in peace through the 651 00:27:38,109 --> 00:27:41,150 Ukrainian conflict or deterring it in 652 00:27:41,150 --> 00:27:43,469 the Pacific through strength . There's 653 00:27:43,469 --> 00:27:45,709 a reason why Donald Trump emphasizes 654 00:27:45,709 --> 00:27:47,987 peace through strength at every moment . 655 00:27:47,987 --> 00:27:50,750 My job , my job alone as the Secretary 656 00:27:50,750 --> 00:27:53,430 of Defense is to ensure he has the 657 00:27:53,430 --> 00:27:56,780 strongest , most capable , most lethal 658 00:27:57,069 --> 00:27:59,709 military possible . Heaven forbid we 659 00:27:59,709 --> 00:28:01,820 have to use it . It's meant and built 660 00:28:01,820 --> 00:28:04,199 for deterrence , but if we have to , we 661 00:28:04,199 --> 00:28:06,366 can close with and destroy our enemies 662 00:28:06,366 --> 00:28:08,550 and bring our men and women home with 663 00:28:08,550 --> 00:28:10,717 success as quickly as possible . Thank 664 00:28:10,717 --> 00:28:12,772 you very much for being here . Thank 665 00:28:12,772 --> 00:28:12,140 you .