Pentagon chief highlights importance of deterring China for security

"Beijing is investing and operating in the region for unfair economic gain, and together, in order to prevent conflict, we need to robustly deter China's potential threats in the hemisphere. So we look forward to being partners with you in that regard," he said.

Hegseth hosted an enhanced honor cordon and welcomed Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Astudillo and Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Elmer Schialer to the Pentagon.

The US and Peru share a lot of the same challenges and threats that require a "very serious response," he said.

"We're making progress on things like trafficking and migration, violent criminal enterprises, folks that are threatening and brutalizing our communities," he added.