US Defense Secretary Urges Asian Allies to Increase Military Spending Against China

May 30, 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30, 2026, urging Asian allies to increase defense spending against China's military buildup. Donald Trump visited Xi Jinping in Beijing in May 2026 and called a $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan a bargaining chip. The U.S., UK, and Australia announced an AUKUS underwater drone initiative in May 2026 to detect threats including those affecting underwater cables.

US-China strategic relations

▪U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth accused the Trump administration of getting too close to China at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference.
▪Pete Hegseth stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that the Indo-Pacific region has profound implications for U.S. security and prosperity.
▪U.S. President Donald Trump visited Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in May 2026.
▪Donald Trump called Xi Jinping a "great leader" after their May 2026 meeting in Beijing.
▪Pete Hegseth stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that Washington's priority is to achieve a lasting and favorable balance of power in the Pacific.
▪Pete Hegseth did not mention the war in Ukraine or the war with Iran at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference.
▪Pete Hegseth stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that there is justified alarm regarding China's historic increase in military power and expansion of military activities in the region and beyond.
▪Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that the task ahead is the renewal of the rules-based international order, not its dismantling.
▪Pete Hegseth stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that the U.S. priority is to ensure China is not allowed to dominate the Indo-Pacific region.
▪U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accompanied Donald Trump to Beijing in May 2026.
▪Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that when rules are applied, smaller states have agency.

Taiwan defense commitments

▪Donald Trump has not yet authorized a $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan as of May 30, 2026.
▪Donald Trump referred to a $14 billion arms sale package to Taiwan as "a very good bargaining chip for us" with China.
▪Pete Hegseth stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that there is no change in U.S. status regarding Taiwan.
▪Donald Trump raised doubts about Washington's willingness to defend Taiwan after his May 2026 meeting with Xi Jinping.

Allied military spending pressure

▪Pete Hegseth addressed the Shangri-La defense conference in Singapore on May 30, 2026.
▪Pete Hegseth criticized European allies at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference for being distracted with empty globalist rhetoric about the rules-based international order.
▪Pete Hegseth praised several Asian countries for their defense spending efforts at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference.
▪Pete Hegseth stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that Washington needs partners, not protectorates, emphasizing the need for allies to increase defense spending.

AUKUS underwater drone initiative

▪The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia announced a new underwater drone initiative under the second pillar of AUKUS in May 2026.

Perspective of U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth

▪U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth accused the Trump administration of getting too close to China at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference.

Perspective of Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles

▪Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that the task ahead is the renewal of the rules-based international order, not its dismantling.
▪Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stated at the May 2026 Shangri-La conference that when rules are applied, smaller states have agency.