--- title: "Pete Hegseth Issues Ultimatum to Asia-Pacific Region: Pay for Security or Remain Unprotected" description: "US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has put Asian allies to the choice: either increase military spending to 3.5% of GDP or lose American protection. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈπŸ”« Washington has officially ended the era of subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations, demanding \"partners, not protectorates\" against the backdrop of a growing threat from China. πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³βš οΈ" date: 2026-05-30T06:44:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/hegseth-ultimatum-asia-pacific-military-spending-vs-china tags: [] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Pete Hegseth Issues Ultimatum to Asia-Pacific Region: Pay for Security or Remain Unprotected ![US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, using a hand gesture to emphasize the importance of allies increasing military spending](https://xab.info/media/2026/05/30/hegset-ultimatum-asii-voennye-raskhody-protiv-kitaya/pit-hegset-vystuplenie-shangri-la.webp) At the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a speech that divided Asian partners into those willing to pay and those accustomed to relying on the American umbrella. At the heart of the agenda is not just rhetoric about security, but a hard financial ultimatum: Washington no longer intends to subsidize the defense of wealthy nations. ### The End of the "Free" Umbrella Era Hegseth clearly outlined a new paradigm for alliances. The era when the United States bore the lion's share of the costs to protect its neighbors is officially over. The Pentagon chief used direct phrasing: "We need partners, not protectorates." He emphasized that a strong alliance is impossible without an equitable distribution of responsibility and warned against "parasitism." The figures cited by the minister speak for themselves. The US expects allies in Asia to increase military spending to 3.5% of GDP. This is a significant jump intended to create a security buffer capable of withstanding growing pressure from Beijing. According to Hegseth, countries in the region are already planning to invest about $1.5 trillion in their armed forces, but Washington demands even more. ### The Chinese Challenge and the Balance of Power The main driver of this arms race is cited as the historic buildup of military power by the PRC. Hegseth expressed justified concern regarding Beijing's expansion, stating that the dominance of any state in the Pacific region disrupts the balance of power. "No state, including China, can impose its hegemony," sounded like a direct warning. However, despite the tough rhetoric, the Defense Secretary noted positive shifts in bilateral relations. He acknowledged that the tone of dialogue between Washington and Beijing has improved recently, and military contacts have become more regular, helping to avoid dangerous escalation. The Chinese delegation, in particular, retired Colonel Zhou Bo, confirmed that the situation is not as dramatic as portrayed in world media, noting a "much better tone" in Hegseth's speeches. ### Taiwan and the Shadow of Nuclear Conflict A shadow of the most dangerous scenario looms over Hegseth's statements β€” a conflict over Taiwan. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) warned that a potential clash could escalate to the nuclear level. The Asia-Pacific region is rapidly becoming the epicenter of a new arms race, where the stakes have never been so high. Washington is trying to balance on the edge: on one hand, demonstrating "disciplined force" and unshakable determination; on the other, calling for stability. Hegseth positively assessed the contributions of South Korea, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, but for the rest of the allies, the time of free protection is over. Now, the price of security is one's own investments and the readiness to take responsibility.