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US Defense Sec: Era of US Funding Rich Allies Over; Not Abandoning Asia

US Defense Sec: Era of US Funding Rich Allies Over; Not Abandoning Asia

Matichon•International•2h ago

Reader Briefing

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reassures Asian allies of continued commitment while emphasizing that the era of the US subsidizing wealthy nations' defense is over, urging them to increase their own military spending.

  • •US Secretary of Defense Pete Hagerty stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue that the US remains committed to its Asian allies.
  • •Hagerty announced the end of the US subsidizing wealthy nations' defense budgets, calling for greater contributions from allies.
  • •The US official highlighted the need for increased military capabilities over diplomatic talks, especially for naval power.
  • •Despite concerns about China's military buildup, Hagerty indicated the US seeks to avoid "unnecessary confrontations" and maintain regional power balance.

Overview

  • •U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hagerty stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue that U.S. forces are not turning their backs on Asian allies while engaged in global missions.
  • •Pete Hagerty reassured Asia-Pacific allies of the U.S. commitment to the region, including adherence to arms sales agreements.
  • •Secretary Hagerty declared that 'the era of the U.S. subsidizing the national defense of wealthy countries is over,' emphasizing a need for allies, not protectorates.
  • •Hagerty stressed that 'rules are good, but if you cannot back them up with military power, they are little more than the paper they are written on,' advocating for increased combat power.
  • •The U.S. Secretary of Defense called for 'fewer Shangri-La Dialogues and more warships and submarines' to bolster military capabilities.
  • •Hagerty reiterated calls for allied nations in Asia to increase their defense budgets to at least 3.5% of their GDP.
  • •The U.S. previously suspended a $14 billion arms package for Taiwan to preserve its own arsenal for the conflict with Iran.
  • •Hagerty's remarks come after Vietnamese President To Lam's address advocating for dialogue to resolve regional tensions.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Pete Hagerty
"The era of the US subsidizing the national defense of wealthy countries is over. We want allies, not protectorates."
ยุคที่สหรัฐให้เงินอุดหนุนด้านการป้องกันประเทศแก่ประเทศร่ำรวยได้สิ้นสุดลงแล้ว เราต้องการพันธมิตร ไม่ใช่รัฐในอารักขา
Pete Hagerty
"Rules are good, but if you cannot back them up with military power, they are little more than the paper they are written on."
กฎเกณฑ์เป็นสิ่งที่ดี แต่ถ้าคุณไม่สามารถสนับสนุนกฎเหล่านั้นด้วยอำนาจทางทหารได้ กฎเหล่านั้นก็แทบไม่มีค่ามากไปกว่ากระดาษที่เขียนมันไว้
Pete Hagerty
"We don't need more meetings. We need more warfighting capability. We need fewer Shangri-La Dialogues and more warships and submarines."
เราไม่ต้องการการประชุมเพิ่มขึ้นอีก เราต้องการอำนาจในการรบมากขึ้น เราต้องการการประชุมแบบแชงกรีลาไดอะล็อกน้อยลง แต่ต้องการเรือรบและเรือดำน้ำมากขึ้น
Pete Hagerty
"Some people try to link our global responsibilities to turning our backs on this region, but we can do both."
บางคนพยายามเชื่อมโยงว่าการที่เรามีภาระหน้าที่ระดับโลก เท่ากับว่าเรากำลังหันหลังให้ภูมิภาคนี้ แต่เราสามารถทำสองอย่างพร้อมกันได้

Key Entities

Person

Pete Hagerty(พีท เฮกเซธ)ℹ️
U.S. Secretary of Defense who spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Shinjiro Koizumi(ชินจิโร โคอิซูมิ)ℹ️
Japanese Defense Minister who questioned the U.S. commitment to the region.
To Lam(โต เลิม)ℹ️
President of Vietnam who delivered a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Xi Jinping(สี จิ้นผิง)ℹ️
President of China who recently met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump(โดนัลด์ ทรัมป์)ℹ️
U.S. President who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Place

United States(สหรัฐ)ℹ️
Nation whose Secretary of Defense addressed the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Asia(เอเชีย)ℹ️
Region to which U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hagerty affirmed continued commitment.
Iran(อิหร่าน)ℹ️
Nation involved in a conflict that led the U.S. to suspend arms packages for Taiwan.
Taiwan(ไต้หวัน)ℹ️
Recipient of a suspended $14 billion arms package from the U.S.
China(จีน)ℹ️
Nation whose military buildup in the region was mentioned as a concern by the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
Nation represented by its Defense Minister at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Vietnam(เวียดนาม)ℹ️
Nation whose President spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue advocating for dialogue.
South Korea(เกาหลีใต้)ℹ️
U.S. allied nation praised for increasing its military budget and cooperation.
Australia(ออสเตรเลีย)ℹ️
U.S. allied nation praised for increasing its military budget and cooperation.
Philippines(ฟิลิปปินส์)ℹ️
U.S. allied nation praised for increasing its military budget and cooperation.
New Zealand(นิวซีแลนด์)ℹ️
Nation identified by the U.S. Secretary of Defense as potentially "free-riding" on security.

Organization

NATO(นาโต)ℹ️
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to which U.S. Secretary of Defense urged significant decisions.