Hegseth Urges Asian Allies to Increase Defense Spending to Counter China
US Secretary of War Hegseth urged Asian allies to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP at the Shangri-La Dialogue to counter China's growing influence, while asserting US readiness for Middle East conflicts.
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- 📰 Published: May 30, 2026 at 13:27
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 00:04 (34h 37m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 00:20 (24h 15m after Collected)
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies today to increase military spending to address China's growing power and prevent Beijing from achieving regional dominance. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth stated, 'Stronger and more self-reliant allies are the key to deterrence.' He called for allies to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, while noting that the US is committing $1.5 trillion to strengthen its own military. Hegseth also emphasized that the US has more than enough weapons to restart a war with Iran if necessary.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the Shangri-La Dialogue?
To discuss security and defense cooperation in Asia.