US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, General Wei Fenghe discussed pressing issues at the Shangri-La Dialogue, such as US influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Could the heated nature of this dialogue setback US talks on lifting its tariffs on China? Moreover, last month's massacre at a Texas elementary school has sparked demonstrations in Washington and across the US.

This week on the Washington Report, we speak to Nirmal Ghosh, US Bureau Chief, The Straits Times about these headlines.

Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Asian Insider newsletter.

Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/JoVb

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/