Hegseth Urges Asian Allies to Increase Defense Spending to Counter China

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies today to increase military spending to address China's growing power and prevent Beijing from achieving regional dominance. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth stated, 'Stronger and more self-reliant allies are the key to deterrence.' He called for allies to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, while noting that the US is committing $1.5 trillion to strengthen its own military. Hegseth also emphasized that the US has more than enough weapons to restart a war with Iran if necessary.