Vietnamese crab exporterdouble-skinned crabs
Advertisement
2026 Xi-Trump summits
ChinaDiplomacy

ExclusiveClaims Hegseth ‘on verge of losing job’ raise questions about future US-China defence ties

Donald Trump is losing patience with the Pentagon chief because of the stalled Iran war, according to several sources

3-MIN READ3-MIN
65
Listen
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is said to have angered President Donald Trump over the ongoing deadlock in the Iran war. Photo: EPA
Dewey SimandKhushboo Razdan
Speculation is growing that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is at increasing risk of losing his job, raising questions about the possible implications for US-China relations, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said Hegseth was “on the verge of losing his job”.

They cited the ongoing deadlock over Iran and a slew of negative media reports, with one source pointing to mounting concerns about the welfare of the crew on board the USS Abraham Lincoln. The aircraft carrier has been at sea for nine months, with personnel reportedly facing food shortages and poor sanitary conditions.
The source said the lack of a “solid breakthrough” on the Iran war had particularly angered President Donald Trump, while another put it bluntly: “[Hegseth’s] job is in danger”.
SCMP Series
Xi’s 2026 trip to US
[ 6 of 22 ]
Select Voice
Select Speed
1x
AI-generated voice