Pete Hegseth tells allies 'free ride' on US defence spending is over

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the Trump administration plans to make a “generational investment” of $1.5 trillion in defence spending this year, while warning allies they must increase their own military budgets.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth described the United States as undergoing an “historic national manufacturing mobilisation of its defence industrial base”.

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He said President Donald Trump wanted allies to commit at least 3.5 percent of their gross domestic product to defence spending.

Addressing partner nations, Hegseth warned that countries failing to boost military spending could face changes in relations with Washington.

“To those who believe they can continue to free ride on the generosity of the American taxpayer, hear us now – those days are over,” he said.

Hegseth added that the United States would prioritise ties with what he called “model allies”, while countries unwilling to increase defence commitments “will face a clear shift in how we do business”.

He described the strategy as essential amid growing global security challenges, adding that “this bold path is a matter of strategic necessity”.