Hegseth attacks Europe in Singapore, warns of China's hegemony

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a stinging rebuke to European allies at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, accusing them of a lack of pragmatism and urging them to increase their defense spending. Hegseth stated that the era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over, emphasizing that America needs "partners, not protectorates."

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If our interests diverge, we pragmatically adapt – without drama or moralizing. I think Western Europe could take a lesson from that.

"If our interests diverge, we pragmatically adapt – without drama or moralizing. I think Western Europe could take a lesson from that," Hegseth declared, contrasting the European approach with that of Asian partners. He reiterated the Trump administration's demand for a more equitable distribution of defense costs among allies, highlighting Europe's long-standing neglect of calls for higher defense expenditures.

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The era, in which the United States subsidizes the defense of wealthy nations, is over.

While criticizing allies, Hegseth also issued a warning about China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. He stressed the U.S. goal of preventing any single nation from dominating the region and disrupting the existing balance of power. However, he also adopted a conciliatory tone towards Beijing, noting that U.S.-China relations are "better than they have been in many years" and that the Trump administration seeks "stable peace, fair trade, and respectful relations."

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We need not more conferences, we need more fighting power.

Hegseth's remarks come as a London-based think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), which organized the forum, warned of the potential consequences of a conflict over Taiwan. The IISS report suggested that a conflict with China over Taiwan could escalate, possibly to a nuclear exchange, which would be catastrophic for the region. China's Ministry of Defense, however, dismissed the report as unrealistic. Hegseth did not directly address the Taiwan issue or the conflict in Iran during his speech.

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Less Shangri-La, more ships, more submarines.