Dear Focus Reader,

In a range of diplomatic developments this week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held his first call with Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun, stressing that the United States does not seek conflict with China while reaffirming its commitment to protect vital interests in the Asia-Pacific region. Both sides described the conversations as "candid and constructive" and agreed to continue discussions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where they emphasized the importance of open and constructive dialogue on a range of bilateral and global issues.

Additionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are officially set to meet next week in Madrid for high-level economic discussions. Topics will include trade, tariffs, and technology concerns, including Washington's focus on TikTok. The meeting follows recent negotiation rounds in London, Geneva, and Stockholm, where both sides agreed to extend a partial tariff truce. China has reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of Chinese companies, including ByteDance.

Amid these exchanges, the Chinese embassy confirmed that a bipartisan U.S. House of Representatives delegation will make an official visit to China later this month, expressing that they hope the trip will help "manage differences and advance cooperation." This is the first trip made by House members since before the Covid-19 pandemic. Organized by Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, the delegation will include members of the House Armed Services Committee, though committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., will not participate. Taiwan is not on the itinerary, but the delegation will also stop in Cambodia.

These events come as the Pentagon is reportedly pursuing a broader strategic shift. A recent draft National Defense Strategy proposes prioritizing "protecting homeland and Western Hemisphere" over countering China and Russia, a departure from previous U.S. policies. Analysts note that Hegseth could still make changes to the plan, but in many ways the shift is already underway, reflected in National Guard activations supporting domestic law enforcement, U.S. military deployments to the Caribbean to interdict drug trafficking, and the establishment of militarized zones along the southern border with Mexico.

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