Speaking at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday (30 May), US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth outlined the Trump administration’s evolving approach to alliances and security partnerships, arguing for greater burden-sharing among US allies and partners.
Hegseth said Washington is pursuing “a new course” for its alliances, moving “away from a model of dependency and toward one of true partnership.” He argued that long-term security cooperation should be based on shared interests and responsibilities rather than reliance on US support alone.
Highlighting the administration’s approach to regional security, Hegseth said Asia’s partners have long understood that durable alliances are built on “the concrete alignment of national interests.” He described Indo-Pacific allies as important contributors to regional stability and deterrence.
Hegseth stated: “The era of the United States subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over. We need partners, not protectorates.” He added that the United States seeks alliances founded on “shared responsibility, not dependency.”
The comments reflect a broader shift in US foreign policy under the Trump administration, which has encouraged allies in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific to increase defence spending, expand military capabilities, and take a larger role in regional security.
Hegseth argued that this approach would place alliances on a more sustainable footing while strengthening collective deterrence in an increasingly competitive geopolitical environment.
ℹ️ International Institute for Strategic Studies
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