Hegseth declares end of US defence subsidies for wealthy allies

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared that Washington would no longer shoulder the defence burden of wealthy allies, arguing that partnerships must be based on shared responsibility rather than dependence.

Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth outlined what he described as a "new era of pragmatic idealism", signalling a shift towards a more transactional and interest-driven approach to alliances.

"Our partners in Asia have long understood that the bedrock of a durable partnership is not based on idealistic values but on the concrete alignment of national interests," Hegseth said.

He praised Indo-Pacific allies for what he called their clear-eyed understanding of security cooperation, saying they act with "focused resolve" when interests align and adjust "pragmatically without the drama or the moralising" when they do not.

In a pointed reference to Europe, Hegseth added: "I think Western Europe might take note."

The Pentagon chief said the United States was moving away from a model in which it effectively underwrote the security of affluent nations, insisting that allies must assume a greater share of the burden.

"The era of the United States subsidising the defence of wealthy nations is over," Hegseth said. "We need partners, not protectorates. We seek alliances built on shared responsibility, not dependency."

According to Hegseth, the policy shift aims to create more sustainable alliances capable of addressing modern security challenges.

"It's a vision that puts our alliances on a sustainable footing, ensuring they are fit for the challenges of this century, not the last," he said.

Hegseth argued that the change was driven by strategic necessity rather than political preference, concluding: "The shift is not a matter of choice. It is a matter of strategic prudence."

By Aghakazim Guliyev