Pentagon Chief Urges Asian Allies To Boost Defence Spending Amid Chinese Threat

The Secretary pointed out the absence of China’s top military officials from the summit, who had sent over an academic delegation instead.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth Photo: Reuters
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United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Saturday claimed that China is preparing to “use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo Pacific” and the US is prepared to “fight and win” if deterrence efforts fail. He further urged the allies in the Indo Pacific to bolster military coordination and also increase their military spending. 

While speaking at the annual defense summit at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, he highlighted how the Indo Pacific region was a priority for the Trump government. Hegseth asserted that  "There's no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent.” 

“We ask, and indeed, we insist that our allies and partners do their part on defense. Our defense spending must reflect the dangers and threats that we face today, because deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap,” he added further. 

China had earlier claimed that it is prepared to fight any type of war with the US in the backdrop of the US president Donald Trump imposing heavy tariffs on the nation. 

Earlier this month, both nations had convened in Geneva that culminated in the lowering of tariffs imposed from both sides. However, Trump had recently asserted that China has “totally violated” the Geneva deal. 

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