Overview
- U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered the keynote at the Shangri‑La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, May 30, 2026, laying out a strategy that pairs firm deterrence with deeper partner cooperation.
- He warned of “rightful alarm” over China’s rapid military expansion and said no state, including China, should be allowed to impose regional hegemony.
- Hegseth pressed allies to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP and announced a $1.5 trillion U.S. military investment that will include expedited arms access and industrial co‑production for compliant partners.
- He singled out India and other Asian partners for praise and promised co‑production and prioritised access to U.S. equipment for countries that strengthen capabilities.
- Hegseth also signalled U.S. global reach by saying Washington could resume strikes on Iran if diplomacy fails and reinforced commitment with visible optics such as an early‑morning workout with troops aboard the USS Boxer while China again sent no defence minister to the forum.