US not 'turning back' on Asia allies, but expects them to boost defence - Hegseth
Pete Hegseth said the US is not abandoning Asia, but wants allies to spend more on defence and buy more weapons.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
At a Singapore security forum, Hegseth tried to reassure Asian allies about US commitment while repeating demands for higher defence spending. He softened his tone on China compared with last year, but still warned about Beijing's military buildup.
A top US defence official went to a big meeting in Singapore and told Asian countries that America is still their partner.
He also said those countries should spend more money on their own armies, like buying more ships, planes, and missiles. It is a bit like a team captain saying, “I will keep helping, but everyone has to practice harder and bring more gear.”
He talked about China too, but in a calmer way than before. The main message was: the US wants to stay involved in Asia, but it wants its friends there to carry more of the load.
Analysis
US reassurance, with conditions
Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that the US is not “turning our backs” on Asia, even while it carries broader global responsibilities such as dealing with Iran. He argued Washington can support allies in the Pacific and handle other crises at the same time.
More defence spending
A central message of the speech was that Asian allies should contribute more to their own defence. Hegseth repeated his call for spending to reach 3.5% of GDP and praised countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia and the Philippines for raising military budgets or deepening cooperation with the US. He also criticised “freeloaders” and warned that Europe and Nato face major choices too.
China, Taiwan and tone
Hegseth still pointed to China’s military buildup as a concern, but his language was notably less confrontational than last year’s appearance. He did not raise Taiwan in his prepared remarks, only addressing it when asked. That softer tone came after positive talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, and after a period in which a Taiwan weapons package was suspended as the US conserved munitions for the Iran conflict.
The speech framed US strategy as “strong, quiet and clear”: show hard power, avoid needless confrontation, and keep a stable balance in Asia. The forum itself remains a key venue for defence talks, but China did not send its defence minister for a second straight year.
Key points
- Hegseth said the US is not abandoning Asia while still handling other global military commitments.
- He pressed Asian allies to raise defence spending, repeating a 3.5% of GDP target.
- He tried to reassure partners about US arms deals despite concern over a suspended Taiwan package.
- His tone on China was softer than last year, though he still warned about Beijing's military buildup.
- The speech reflected a US strategy of deterrence without what Hegseth called needless confrontation.
