US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on Asian allies and strategic partners to significantly increase their military spending in response to China’s expanding military capabilities and growing regional influence. Speaking at the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth warned that Beijing’s rapid military expansion was creating justified concern across the Indo-Pacific region and stressed that the United States expects its allies to take greater responsibility for their own security.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, widely regarded as Asia’s leading forum for defence ministers, military leaders, diplomats, and security experts, served as the platform for Hegseth’s remarks. His speech reflected the broader strategic approach of the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has consistently pushed allied nations to increase defence contributions and reduce dependence on Washington for long-term security guarantees.
Addressing delegates at the summit, Hegseth described China’s military growth as a source of “rightful alarm” and warned that the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific could be destabilised if any single country were allowed to dominate the region.
“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 his speech.
He further argued that a Pacific region controlled by a hegemonic power would fundamentally undermine regional stability and threaten the security interests of both the United States and its allies.
“A Pacific dominated by any hegemon would unravel the regional balance of power,” he said. “No state, including China, can impose hegemony and hold the security of our nation and our allies in question.”
Hegseth emphasised that the United States believes stronger and more self-reliant allies are essential for maintaining deterrence against potential aggression. He urged Asian partners to increase defence spending levels to approximately 3.5 per cent of their gross domestic product, presenting the request as part of a broader effort to build collective regional security capabilities.
The Pentagon chief also highlighted Washington’s own military investments, noting that the United States has pledged approximately $1.5 trillion toward strengthening and modernising its armed forces. According to Hegseth, allied nations must now demonstrate similar commitment and seriousness regarding regional defence.
Despite his warnings about China’s growing military power, Hegseth stressed that the United States was not seeking conflict or escalation. Instead, he argued that Washington’s objective was to preserve stability through credible deterrence, disciplined military strength, and reliable partnerships.
“What they want, and what the United States delivers, is strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick,” Hegseth said.
Interestingly, while warning about China’s military expansion, Hegseth also noted that relations between Washington and Beijing had recently improved in certain areas. He pointed to increased communication between the two militaries as evidence that both sides were attempting to maintain channels for dialogue and crisis management.
“We are meeting more frequently with our Chinese counterparts by maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication,” he stated, adding that ties with Beijing were “better than they have been in many years.”
Nevertheless, the central theme of Hegseth’s speech focused on burden-sharing and reducing allied dependence on American military protection. Echoing a long-standing position repeatedly voiced by Donald Trump, Hegseth argued that wealthy nations should no longer rely disproportionately on the United States to finance and guarantee their defence.
Since returning to office, Trump has consistently pressured both European and Asian allies to spend more on defence, particularly within organisations such as NATO. His administration has argued that many allied nations have benefited from American military support for decades without contributing enough to collective security efforts.
Hegseth reinforced that message directly during his Singapore speech.
“The era of the United States subsidising the defence of wealthy nations is over,” he declared.
He went on to say that the United States seeks genuine strategic partners rather than countries that depend entirely on American military power for protection.
“We need partners, not protectorates,” Hegseth added. “We don’t have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading.”
The remarks are likely to resonate strongly across Asia, where several US allies — including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Australia — are already increasing defence spending and strengthening military cooperation in response to rising tensions involving China.
At the same time, Hegseth’s comments may also generate debate among allied governments concerned about balancing stronger security cooperation with the United States while avoiding direct confrontation with Beijing, which remains one of the region’s largest economic powers.
Overall, the speech reflected Washington’s evolving Indo-Pacific strategy: combining military deterrence against China with demands for greater allied responsibility, increased regional defence investment, and a more balanced distribution of security burdens among America’s partners.
