Defense Secretary Hegseth Tells Asian Partners to 'Do More to Get More' US Assistance
At a security conference in Singapore, Pete Hegseth outlined conditions for Asian military leaders to receive priority US support.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a pointed message to Asian military leaders at a security conference in Singapore, telling them they need to "do more to get more" from the United States in terms of military assistance and cooperation. Speaking at the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue, Hegseth outlined specific expectations for regional partners who want to move to "the front of the line" for American support in an increasingly complex security environment.
The remarks represent a continuation of the Trump administration's transactional approach to international relationships, emphasizing that US military assistance should be contingent on partner nations meeting specific commitments and burden-sharing requirements. Hegseth's message comes as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea and as regional partners seek reassurance about America's long-term commitment to Asian security.
Hegseth specifically addressed concerns about military spending levels among US allies in the region, suggesting that nations seeking priority access to American weapons systems, training programs, and intelligence sharing must demonstrate greater investment in their own defense capabilities. The Defense Secretary indicated that the administration would evaluate partnership requests based on concrete metrics including defense spending as a percentage of GDP and contributions to regional security initiatives.
Asian military leaders attending the conference expressed mixed reactions to Hegseth's conditional approach, with some welcoming clarity about US expectations while others worried about the implications for smaller nations with limited defense budgets. Representatives from Japan, South Korea, and Australia indicated they were prepared to meet enhanced partnership requirements, while officials from Southeast Asian nations requested more detailed guidance on specific benchmarks.
The Defense Secretary's remarks underscore the Trump administration's broader strategy of recalibrating international relationships based on reciprocal benefits rather than traditional alliance obligations. Hegseth emphasized that while the United States remains committed to regional stability, partner nations must demonstrate comparable commitment through increased defense investments and more active participation in collective security arrangements. The approach reflects ongoing administration efforts to ensure that American military resources are directed toward partners who contribute meaningfully to shared security objectives.
