At the Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Indo-Pacific allies to boost defense spending, citing a “real and imminent” threat from China. Speaking at Asia’s top defense forum, he warned that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would devastate the region. Hegseth, echoing President Trump’s confidence, stressed the Indo-Pacific as a US priority. He pointed to NATO’s 5% GDP defense spending as a model, drawing criticism from Senator Tammy Duckworth for patronizing allies. With China’s Defense Minister absent, Hegseth called for stronger regional cooperation, as Asian defense budgets rise but lag at 1.5% of GDP.
Business News
Warmongering: Hegseth urges Asian states to up defence spending
US Defense Secretary urges Indo-Pacific allies to boost defense spending, citing China threat, at Shangri-La Dialogue.
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