TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In his speech Saturday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined US foreign policy goals for Asia.
Hegseth told the defense summit that the United States seeks a "stable equilibrium" in Asia. He added that no country — including China — should be able to establish unquestioned dominance over the region.
'A favorable but Durable Balance of Power'
"What we seek ... is a genuinely stable equilibrium that works for Americans as well as our allies — a favorable but durable balance of power in which no state, including China, can impose its hegemony and hold the security or prosperity of our nation and our allies in question," the Pentagon chief said.
Hegseth said there was "rightful alarm" about China's military buildup across the Pacific region, but stressed that Washington does not seek "needless confrontation in the region."
"When we look across the region today, there is rightful alarm regarding China's historic military buildup and the expansion of its military activities in the region and beyond," Hegseth said.
Hegseth stressed that ties with Beijing are "better than they have been in many years," citing the increased number of military-to-military interactions as an example.
Richard Walker, DW's chief international editor, noted that Taiwan was not mentioned once in Hegseth's speech. When asked about the paused arms sale deal with Taiwan, the Pentagon chief answered that the decision would rest with President Donald Trump.
US Needs 'Partners, Not Protectorates'
The defense secretary also said the US expects its Asian allies and partners to increase defense spending to 3.5% of their GDPs.
"The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over... We need partners, not protectorates," he said. "We don't have a strong alliance unless everyone has skin in the game. No freeloading."
Since returning to the office, Trump has demanded that US allies, particularly NATO countries, increase their defense spending and reduce their reliance on Washington.
Hegseth also stressed that the United States has more than sufficient stockpiles of weapons and is "more than capable" of resuming the war with Iran.
Georg Mattes, the DW Asia Pacific bureau chief, said the key phrase in Hegseth's speech was that there is less need for the Shangri-La Dialogue and more need for a military buildup and deterrence. Mattes added, "I think that is a bit unsettling scenario for Southeastern Asians."
The Shangri-La Dialogue brings together top defense officials and experts from around 45 countries. The summit has historically offered an opportunity for open debate and behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
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