Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Defense Secretary, urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up their military spending to counter the growing power of China. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he warned of a massive regional military buildup. He noted that a stronger network of self-reliant partners remained essential to deter aggression.
“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” Hegseth stated during the summit. He added that no state could impose its hegemony and hold the security of other nations in question.
Therefore Washington expected its Asian partners to increase their individual defense budgets to 3.5 percent of their gross domestic product.
The Pentagon chief emphasized that the United States pledged a 1.5 trillion dollar investment in its own military forces. However he echoed the firm demands of the administration for global allies to shoulder more of their own security costs. He declared that the era of Washington subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations officially concluded.
“We need partners, not protectorates,” Hegseth remarked to the assembly of defense leaders and diplomats. He explained that a truly strong alliance required every participant to contribute significantly without relying solely on American taxpayers. Additionally he highlighted South Korea as an exemplary model for boosting its domestic capabilities.
Meanwhile he also noted that current diplomatic relations with Beijing actually improved over the last year. He credited this development to more frequent military-to-military communications which successfully helped manage localized flashpoints.
“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady,” Hegseth concluded. He emphasized that Washington would maintain a balanced approach focused on stability rather than escalation.
