US defence secretary flags imminent China threat, calls on Asian allies to increase military budgets

Pete hegseth

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a sharp warning about the growing threat from China on Saturday, calling it "real and potentially imminent" as he urged Indo-Pacific allies to ramp up defence spending in the face of Beijing’s assertiveness.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore—Asia’s top security forum—Hegseth said the Indo-Pacific remains a top priority for the Trump administration. It was his first appearance at the summit since taking office in January.

“There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” Hegseth said, adding that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would have “devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world.” He reiterated Trump’s stance that such a move “won’t happen on this president’s watch.”

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has increased military pressure around the self-ruled island. Taiwan’s government, however, rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only the island’s people can determine their future.

Hegseth said it must be clear that “Beijing is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.” His push for more regional defence spending may rattle allies, even though analysts expect him to receive a relatively warm reception in Singapore.

China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun skipped the conference, sending only an academic delegation. Hegseth has also criticized NATO allies for underfunding defence. In Brussels earlier this year, he warned against treating the U.S. like a “sucker.”

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron, who delivered the keynote address, said Hegseth was right to call for increased European defence spending. “It’s hard to believe after some recent trips to Europe that I’m saying this,” Hegseth said, “but thanks to President Trump, Asian allies should look to Europe as a new example.”

He pointed to NATO countries now pledging 5% of GDP toward defence, including Germany, and questioned why Asian allies facing “an even more formidable threat” weren’t doing the same. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, who is co-leading a bipartisan U.S. delegation to the forum, said Hegseth’s tone toward allies was “patronizing.” Still, regional military budgets are rising.

A study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, which hosts the Shangri-La Dialogue, noted a surge in arms spending and research collaboration in Asia despite average regional defence spending remaining flat at 1.5% of GDP in 2024. Hegseth suggested Europe should focus more on its own continent to free up American resources for the Indo-Pacific.

“We would much prefer that the overwhelming balance of European investment be on that continent,” he said, “so we’re able to use our comparative advantage as an Indo-Pacific nation to support our partners here.” However, some of the Trump administration’s moves in the region have raised questions.

The Pentagon recently relocated missile defence systems from Asia to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran—an effort requiring 73 C-17 transport flights. Hegseth, a former Fox News host who has focused heavily on domestic issues since taking office, also touched on his familiar talking points like “restoring the warrior ethos.”

“We are not here to pressure countries to adopt our politics or ideology,” he said. “We are not here to preach about climate change or cultural issues. We respect your traditions and militaries—and want to work together where our interests align.”

(With agency inputs)