Hegseth urges Asian allies to boost defense spending
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Pete Hegseth delivered a speech at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30, 2026, urging Asian allies to ramp up military spending to counter China’s historic military buildup.
- Pete Hegseth said U.S.–China relations are "better than they've been in many years" but warned of a "rightful alarm" over China’s expanding military activities.
- Pete Hegseth omitted any reference to Taiwan, despite earlier remarks about China’s harassment of the island, and said future arms sales to Taiwan rest with President Trump.
- Pete Hegseth reiterated President Trump’s stance on Iran, stating the U.S. would not make a deal unless it prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and that the U.S. is ready to resume strikes if no agreement is reached.
- China sent a lower‑level delegation of military experts and scholars to the summit, marking the second consecutive year its defense minister was absent.
- Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Endowment noted the speech was “light on substance” and lacked a clear roadmap for avoiding tension with China.
Why it matters: The push for higher defense budgets gives Asian governments a chance to bolster capabilities against China’s buildup, benefiting U.S. defense firms and regional security partners, while the silence on Taiwan and lack of a clear U.S.–China strategy leave the island’s defense posture uncertain and could heighten strategic competition.
