U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of an “imminent” threat from China and called on Asian nations to significantly raise their defense spending, as the Indo-Pacific becomes Washington’s “priority theatre” under the Trump administration.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth accused China of “credibly preparing” to use force against Taiwan, saying, “There’s no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent.”

He said deterrence must be backed by investment: “Deterrence doesn’t come on the cheap … time is of the essence.” While pledging continued U.S. presence in the region, Hegseth stressed that regional allies “can and should upgrade their own defenses.”

New Military Projects, Focus on Indo-Pacific

Hegseth outlined several initiatives, including the U.S.’s first live-fire test of mid-range missile systems in Australia, expanded ship and aircraft repair facilities, and enhanced cooperation on P-8 radar systems.

Framing the Indo-Pacific as the administration’s strategic focus, Hegseth said Europe’s increasing responsibility for its own security—particularly amid the Ukraine war—frees U.S. capacity for the Pacific.

Tough Talk, Diplomatic Fallout

Hegseth criticized China’s decision not to send senior delegates to the dialogue and pushed back against French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that U.S. security commitments appear fragile: “An alliance cannot be ironclad if... it is one-sided.”

Yet his tone drew mixed reactions. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, attending the forum, called his remarks “patronising,” saying, “We don’t need that kind of language. We just need to stand together.”

Trump’s Massive Defense Budget and Strategic Agenda

Hegseth reaffirmed Trump’s pledge to raise defense spending by 13% to $1 trillion in 2026. He referenced plans to retake the Panama Canal and develop advanced weapons like the controversial “Golden Dome.”

Despite bipartisan support for regional engagement, Duckworth criticized Trump’s execution: “The administration acts very quickly, but very incompetently.”