Story perspectives

US Defense Chief Urges Asia Spend 3.5% Against China

6/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a Shangri-La Dialogue address in Singapore that omitted any reference to Taiwan, unlike previous remarks.
He urged Asian partners—including Australia, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia—to raise defense spending toward 3.5 % of GDP to counter China’s buildup.
Hegseth called European NATO members “free-riders,” said the decision rests with President Donald Trump, and claimed U.S. stockpiles can support any sale.

History

Historical Context

At the 1999 Washington summit—NATO’s 50th anniversary held April 23-25 amid the Kosovo bombing—the alliance later codified a 2 % of GDP defense-spending guideline in 2006. Today, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Singapore urges Australia, Japan and South Korea to lift spending to 3.5 % to offset European free-rider strategic security concerns.

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Story summary

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a Shangri-La Dialogue address in Singapore that omitted any reference to Taiwan, unlike previous remarks.
He urged Asian partners—including Australia, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Malaysia—to raise defense spending toward 3.5 % of GDP to counter China’s buildup.
Hegseth called European NATO members “free-riders,” said the decision rests with President Donald Trump, and claimed U.S. stockpiles can support any sale.

1 / 2