Hegseth's Softer Tone on China Part of Broader Shift in US Policy?
Edited By WION Video Desk
Published: May 31, 2026, 18:16 IST | Updated: May 31, 2026, 18:16 IST
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth renewed calls for America’s allies in Asia to increase military spending to boost deterrence against China, in a speech marked by a shift away from a confrontational stance toward Beijing.
“The era of the U.S. subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations is over. We need partners, not protectorates,” Hegseth said in a Saturday speech, while offering assurances that the Trump administration wouldn’t reduce the U.S. security presence in Asia as it seeks calmer ties with China.
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