US not 'turning back' on Asia allies, but expects them to boost defence, says Hegseth

United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has sought to reassure Asia-Pacific allies of Washington’s unwavering commitment to the region, insisting that the US is capable of meeting both its global obligations and its regional defence commitments simultaneously. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth addressed concerns raised by Japan’s defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi, who had warned that some countries might underestimate US resolve or attempt to drive a wedge between America and its allies. “People want to conflate that we have global obligations with the turning of our backs to this region,” Hegseth declared, firmly rejecting any notion that Washington is shifting its focus away from Asia. “We can do two things at one time,” he added, emphasising that the US is “quietly but very strongly” projecting power in the Pacific while also addressing global threats, including Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In response to questions about the suspension of a $14 billion arms package to Taiwan to preserve munitions for operations in the Middle East, Hegseth maintained that the two issues were entirely separate. He stressed that the US remains in a “very good place” regarding its munitions stockpiles and production capacity, asserting that America retains the ability to fulfil defence commitments across multiple theatres. Hegseth’s remarks came amid broader discussions about regional security, with Vietnam’s President To Lam advocating for increased dialogue to ease tensions. Underscoring the need for tangible military strength over diplomatic rhetoric, Hegseth argued that rules-based international order must be backed by “hard power.” “Rules are great, but if you can't back them up with hard power, the rules are not worth the paper they are written on,” he stated, insisting that the region needs “more ships and more subs” rather than additional conferences.

Hegseth also reiterated Washington’s call for Asian allies to increase their defence spending, setting a target of 3.5% of GDP for military expenditure—a figure he described as essential to countering regional threats, particularly China’s military build-up. He praised recent efforts by allies such as South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, highlighting their growing cooperation with the US in joint military exercises and defence procurement. While acknowledging the need to avoid “needless confrontation,” he framed the US approach as one of strength tempered by strategic restraint. His comments followed a recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping, which officials described as positive, though Hegseth made clear that Washington would continue to counter Beijing’s military assertiveness in the region. The defence secretary’s address at the Shangri-La Dialogue underscored the Biden administration’s broader strategy: a firm commitment to allies, paired with an expectation of greater burden-sharing in an era of rising geopolitical tensions.