U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said alliances must be based on shared responsibility rather than dependency during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore [1].

The remarks signal a shift toward requiring allies to contribute more financially and militarily to maintain regional security. This approach aims to reduce the burden on the U.S. while strengthening a collective front against China's influence in the Indo-Pacific [2].

Speaking in May 2026, Hegseth said the U.S. expects its partners to take a more active role in their own defense [4]. He specifically called for U.S. allies in the Asia-Pacific to increase their defense spending to 3.5% of GDP [4].

"We need alliances built on shared responsibility, not dependency," Hegseth said [1].

He said the current security environment requires a more equitable distribution of costs and capabilities. According to Hegseth, partners who do not contribute should not expect the same level of support from the U.S. government [3].

"Allies that are unwilling to share the burden should not expect to be treated as partners," Hegseth said [3].

The Secretary of Defense also addressed the role of China in the region. He said the U.S. and its partners must work together to ensure that "China cannot impose its hegemony on U.S. partners and allies in the region" [3].

In addition to the focus on spending, Hegseth highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships. He described India as a key Indo-Pacific partner, and credited Donald Trump for efforts to foster peace between India and Pakistan [2].

The push for increased spending comes amid growing concerns over regional stability and the expanding military footprint of China in Southeast Asia [5]. Hegseth said the U.S. remains committed to the region but will prioritize relationships based on mutual obligation [4].

“We need alliances built on shared responsibility, not dependency.”

This policy shift indicates a move toward 'transactional diplomacy' in U.S. defense strategy. By setting a specific GDP spending target for allies, the U.S. is attempting to pivot from being the primary security provider to a coordinator of a multilateral coalition. This puts pressure on smaller Southeast Asian nations to balance their financial constraints with the need for U.S. security guarantees in the face of Chinese expansion.