US Defense Secretary Slams Europe While Praising Asian Allies

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers a speech at the 23rd Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) in Singapore on the 30th. AFP

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Asian allies for boosting their defense contributions at the 23rd Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore on the 30th, while sharply criticizing European nations for underfunding their militaries. Bloomberg said his remarks underscore the Trump administration’s continued pivot to the Indo‑Pacific and its pressure on NATO.

He singled out South Korea, Japan and the Philippines by name, commending their efforts to strengthen defenses. By contrast, he accused several European countries of keeping their borders too open and allowing their militaries to atrophy.

He also referenced President Trump’s talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this month, stressing the value of “interpersonal diplomacy” between leaders.

Analysts told Bloomberg that Hegseth’s use of the phrase “constructive strategic stability” and his relatively conciliatory tone toward China’s defense minister suggest Washington’s posture toward Beijing may be easing.

At this year’s security forum, Hegseth omitted any mention of Taiwan—the most contentious issue between Washington and Beijing—in his formal remarks, the first time that has happened in a decade.

President Trump is currently withholding approval of a Taiwan arms package valued at about 14 billion USD. After the speech, Hegseth said, “The United States’ basic position hasn’t changed; we’ve only changed how we handle the issue—forcefully and quietly, but clearly.”

Addressing concerns that U.S. ammunition stocks could be strained as forces conduct operations this year in the Middle East and the Caribbean, Hegseth drew a clear distinction between those operational demands and the Taiwan arms hold. He said U.S. munitions reserves are “sufficient and stable worldwide,” and that the two issues are unrelated.

On the European front, amid growing fears the Trump administration might withdraw support — including cutting U.S. forces stationed in Germany — NATO Military Committee Chair Giuseppe Cavo Dragone dismissed the friction, saying, “There is no conflict with the United States, and NATO has responded well to America’s calls for increased defense spending.”