Hegseth Shifts US Strategy in Asia: Allies Must Spend More, May 30

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Asian allies on May 30 that the era of US military subsidies is over. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth called for partners to spend 3.5% of their GDP on defense and shift from dependency to shared responsibility. The announcement comes as the US suspended a $14 billion Taiwan weapons package to preserve munitions for the Iran conflict.

A New Model for Asian Partnerships

Hegseth outlined a strategy moving away from what he called a dependency model toward true partnership. He stated that the US no longer subsidizes wealthy nations’ defense and expects allies to contribute equally. The Pentagon chief emphasized that alliances require shared responsibility, not freeloading. He said the foundation of this approach is grounded in aligned national interests rather than idealistic values.

Taiwan Arms Deal Suspended Amid Iran War Demands

The US suspended a $14 billion (£10 billion) weapons package to Taiwan to conserve munitions for the Iran war. Hegseth said he would decouple the two issues, insisting the US remains in a strong munitions position. He told dialogue participants the US can maintain global obligations while working with Pacific allies. The decision raised concerns among Asian partners about US commitment to the region.

Softer Tone on China After Trump’s Beijing Visit

Hegseth struck a markedly more subdued tone on China compared to his 2025 speech. He did not mention Taiwan once and called for a quiet approach to security cooperation. He said US-China relations are better than they have been in many years and the US seeks to avoid needless confrontation. The shift follows President Trump’s positive talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping two weeks earlier.

Reassuring Japan and Regional Allies

Japan’s defense minister asked Hegseth to address concerns about US commitment to the region. Hegseth denied the US was turning its back on Asia despite the Iran war. He said the US can do two things at once: maintain global obligations and work quietly but strongly with Pacific allies. He stressed that no single state, including China, should dominate the region.

Final Thoughts

Hegseth’s speech signals a shift toward burden-sharing with Asian allies while maintaining a softer diplomatic approach to China. The suspended Taiwan arms deal reflects competing US military priorities between Asia and the Middle East.

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