Hegseth urges Asian allies to raise defense spending amid concerns over China's military rise

SINGAPORE: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday, May 30, called on Asian allies to significantly increase defense spending to counter China’s expanding military capabilities. He argued that a stronger and more self-reliant network of partners is essential to maintaining stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s leading security forum, Hegseth said regional nations were increasingly concerned about China’s rapid military modernization and growing operational footprint across the region.

“There is rightful alarm regarding China’s historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond,” he said.

Pete Hegseth warns against regional dominance

Hegseth cautioned that any attempt by a single power to dominate the Pacific would undermine the region’s strategic balance and threaten the security and prosperity of US allies.

“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” he said, adding that no nation should be allowed to impose its will on others.

The Pentagon chief said Washington expects Asian partners to move toward defense spending equivalent to 3.5% of gross domestic product, while highlighting the United States’ own planned investment of $1.5 trillion in military capabilities.

Pete Hegseth says 'US needs partners, not protectorates'

Echoing President Donald Trump's long-standing position on burden-sharing, Hegseth said the era of wealthy allies relying heavily on US security guarantees was ending.

“The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over,” he said. “We need partners, not protectorates.”

He stressed that strong alliances require meaningful contributions from all members and praised efforts by countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand to strengthen their defense capabilities.

Referring to Tokyo, Hegseth said both countries must continue sharing responsibility for regional security and deepening the US-Japan alliance.

Measured tone on China relations

Despite his criticism of Beijing’s military expansion, Hegseth adopted a relatively conciliatory tone regarding US-China relations, describing ties as improved compared with recent years.

He said regular military-to-military communications had helped reduce tensions and maintain open channels between the two powers.

Addressing developments beyond the Indo-Pacific, Hegseth said the United States remained prepared to resume military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions failed.

He also dismissed suggestions that tensions in the Middle East would divert Washington’s focus from Asia-Pacific security. “We can do two things at one time,” he said.

On Taiwan, Hegseth reaffirmed that US policy remained unchanged despite recent engagement with Beijing. While declining to predict the fate of a proposed arms package reportedly worth up to $14 billion, he said any decision would ultimately rest with President Trump.

“There’s been no change in our status,” Hegseth said, signaling continued US support for Taiwan’s defense amid ongoing cross-strait tensions.