The Pentagon chief made the remark during a Jan. 31 call with top Mexican military officials, while urging them to address collusion between their country’s government and violent criminal

At the same time, Republican lawmakers are aiming to add more than $100 billion to the Pentagon’s proposed budget, which would push military spending close to $1 trillion a year.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sent a direct message to drug cartels from Guantanamo Bay on Wednesday evening during an appearance on Fox News, stating that “nothing” is “off the table” when it comes to keeping Americans safe.

China’s embassy in the U.S. issued a warning that the country was ready for a trade war or “any other type of war" with the U.S. following Trump’s additional 10% tariffs imposed on the country Tuesday.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has fired back at China after its Foreign Ministry spokesperson made a veiled threat of war in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The defense secretary’s told Mexican security officials the U.S. was ready to take unilateral action against the country’s drug cartels.

He said that where cooperation is possible, both sides will work together, and the president remains focused on seeking peace and new opportunities.