U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reassured Asian allies that Washington is not retreating from its commitments in the Indo-Pacific region, while urging partner nations to significantly increase their defence spending and military preparedness in response to growing security threats, particularly from China.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth said the United States remains fully committed to its alliances and partnerships across Asia despite concerns that Washington’s focus on conflicts in Europe and the Middle East could weaken its engagement in the region.
“The United States is not turning its back on the Indo-Pacific,” Hegseth told regional defence leaders and military officials. “But our allies and partners must do more. Security is a shared responsibility.”
The remarks come amid heightened tensions across the Indo-Pacific, including disputes in the South China Sea, increasing Chinese military activity around Taiwan, North Korea’s missile programmes, and concerns about regional security competition.
Hegseth stressed that the U.S. military presence in Asia remains strong and that Washington continues to view the region as a strategic priority. He pointed to ongoing cooperation with allies such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, as well as growing security partnerships with countries including India and Singapore.
However, he argued that regional governments must contribute more resources to their own defence capabilities rather than relying heavily on American military support.
“We welcome strong allies, but deterrence requires investment,” Hegseth said, adding that nations facing increasing security risks should accelerate military modernization efforts and expand defence budgets.
The Pentagon chief’s comments reflect a broader policy position within the administration of President Donald Trump, which has repeatedly called on U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to shoulder a greater share of defence costs. Washington has argued that stronger local military capabilities are essential for maintaining regional stability and deterring potential aggression.
Much of Hegseth’s speech focused on China, which he described as the most significant long-term strategic challenge facing the United States and its allies. He warned that Beijing’s military expansion and increasingly assertive actions in the region have raised concerns among neighbouring countries.
According to Hegseth, China is rapidly modernizing its armed forces, expanding naval capabilities, and increasing pressure on Taiwan. He said the United States would continue working with partners to preserve freedom of navigation and maintain stability in international waters and airspace.
Chinese officials have consistently rejected accusations that Beijing threatens regional stability, arguing that its military activities are defensive in nature and aimed at protecting national sovereignty. China has also criticized growing U.S. military deployments and alliance-building efforts in the region, describing them as attempts to contain China’s rise.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier annual security forum, has become an important platform for discussions on strategic competition between the United States and China. Defence ministers, military commanders, diplomats, and security experts from across the world attended this year’s gathering amid growing uncertainty over global security.
Hegseth also highlighted recent U.S. military cooperation initiatives, including expanded joint exercises with regional allies, enhanced intelligence-sharing arrangements, and increased deployment of advanced military assets throughout the Indo-Pacific.
His remarks were welcomed by several U.S. allies, though some regional governments remain cautious about balancing security cooperation with Washington against maintaining economic ties with China, which remains the largest trading partner for many Asian countries.
Security analysts say Hegseth’s message reflects Washington’s effort to reassure allies while simultaneously pushing them toward greater military self-reliance. Experts note that many Indo-Pacific countries have already begun increasing defence budgets in recent years amid concerns over regional tensions.
According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), defence spending across Asia has risen steadily over the past decade, driven largely by military modernization programmes in Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, and several Southeast Asian nations.
The Pentagon maintains that a stronger network of capable regional partners is essential for preserving stability in the Indo-Pacific as geopolitical competition intensifies. Hegseth said the United States would remain engaged in the region but emphasized that future security challenges require a collective response rather than dependence on any single nation.
“We are here to stay,” Hegseth said. “But enduring peace comes when allies stand strong together.”
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