SINGAPORE — U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth called on countries across the Pacific region and do more to protect themselves, calling defence spending to 3.5% of GDP the “new global norm” and saying the US will no longer tolerate “freeloading.”
New Zealand has laid out a plan to increase its defence spending from just over 1 to just over 2 percent of GDP over the next eight years — a far cry from Hegseth’s demand, but one that would be extremely difficult for New Zealand to stomach either from a fiscal or a social licence perspective.
Hegseth is in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major regional security forum, as is New Zealand defence minister Chris Penk — and so too your Between Giants correspondent.
In his address to a packed ballroom on Saturday morning, Hegseth called on countries in Asia to step up and become real partners with the United States, declaring the age of American “protectorates” was over.
There was “rightful alarm” in the region over China’s “historic military build-up,” he said, labelling China as “expansionist.”
“We are willing to work with all of you to ensure a Pacific free of any hegemon,” he said, but said defence spending could no longer be an “afterthought.”
He praised a list of Asian countries that are increasing their defence spending: South Korea, Japan, the Phillipines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia. Notably missing: New Zealand.
So I got in the queue to ask a question to Hegseth.
My question: “I couldn’t help but notice that New Zealand was missing from your list of countries. There, they have recently outlined a plan to get from 1 percent to 2 percent of GDP, a long way from 3.5. Would you consider New Zealand to be a free rider?”
Hegseth’s answer:
I appreciate the question. I listen, I mean, if I’m being honest, 2 percent is not enough, and so 2 percent is free loading, but I don’t have anything against New Zealand. I want partners to step up. I didn’t intentionally leave it off my list. I look forward to working with the new Defence Minister there and enhancing those capabilities. I think that relationship has been a very fruitful one for a very long time, but I think, as my friends [Australia’s] Richard Marles and [the UK’s] John Healey know, I’m probably the most blunt with our closest friends about what our capabilities are, and where they need to be to ensure that we’re locking arms and shields, considering the threats of the world. And it can’t just say, “Oh, we’ve been friends for a long time, so let’s work together. It’s, “We’ve been friends for a long time.” So you better have the same visibility as we do, because if we don’t, our alliance is meaningless, and that’s the kind of realism President Trump has asked me to inject into all relationships.
Penk was up in the next session, and probably didn’t appreciate my question. He reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to doing its bit militarily.
Here’s my interview with Penk before the forum.
Penk’s full speech should be posted here soon.
My main take-aways from Hegseth’s speech:
He was clearly trying to continue the Trump administration effort to bring new stability to the relationship with China, saying the US wanted an “equilibrium” and didn’t want any one hegemon to dominate the Pacific sphere.
While he gave his usual comments about the “old toothless utopian approach” and criticised Europe’s “moralising,” saying “the era of performative outrage is over.” Hegseth repeatedly said that the US didn’t want war but was carrying a big stick while speaking quietly and avoiding “peacocking.”
He said that dialogue was not “capitulation” but was a “practical guardrail” to avoid accidental conflict in the region.
All these war mongers are doing is lining the pockets of arms manufacturers - and themselves. Lets not forget that the usa under Trump has withdrawn aid support from many countries - theirs is not an administration with any concern at all for peace or well being. They are intent on distilling misery, fear, and uncertainty everywhere.
Kia kaha. I don't know how you can be in the same room as that man. Good question to him and reporting on the situation at large.