Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Israel, Poland, and the Gulf and Baltic states as “model allies” of the United States, a remark sure to raise eyebrows over others who may consider themselves close allies.
Speaking in Singapore as part of the Shangri-La Dialogue 2025, hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Hegseth once again called on U.S. allies, particularly in Europe, to raise their defense spending. He held up Israel, Poland, the Baltic states, and the Gulf states as some of the best U.S. allies, a remark that could come across as a slight to other close allies like the United Kingdom, France, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.
The defense secretary spent much of the speech warning of the dangers of China, though clarifying that Washington does not seek conflict.
“We do not seek conflict with Communist China. We will not seek to instigate, subjugate, or humiliate China. President Trump and the U.S. have an immense respect for China and their civilization. But we will not be pushed out of this critical region,” he said.
PETE HEGSETH’S WAR ON THE PENTAGON PRESS CORPS
Elsewhere, Hegseth warned that China “is credibly preparing to potentially use military force to alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific,” referring to U.S. fears of an invasion of Taiwan.
“There’s no reason to sugar coat it. The threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” he said. The use of military force to take Taiwan “would result in devastating consequences for the Indo-Pacific and the world,” warning that Beijing wouldn’t invade Taiwan on President Donald Trump’s watch.