Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News host and current frontrunner for a senior Pentagon role, has sent a blunt message to America's Asian allies: open your wallets. In a closed-door briefing obtained by this desk, Hegseth told diplomats from Japan, South Korea and Australia that Washington is "sick of subsidising the defence of millionaires." The remarks, confirmed by three sources who were in the room, come as the UK reaffirms its commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) with Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
Hegseth's comments reflect a growing frustration in Trump-aligned circles with the burden of forward-deployed forces. "America cannot be the world's policeman on a discount," he said, according to a leaked transcript. The Pentagon declined to comment, but insiders say the message is consistent with the administration's push for burden-sharing.
The FPDA, a series of bilateral agreements signed in 1971, commits Britain to consult with partners in the event of an external threat. The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed last week that it will deploy a Royal Navy task group to the region for exercises this autumn. A senior British diplomat called the Hegseth remarks "unhelpful" but stressed that London's commitment to the FPDA is "ironclad."
Critics argue Hegseth's tone undermines deterrence. "Telling your allies they're moochers is not a strategy," said a retired US Navy admiral who served as Pacific commander. Hegseth's supporters counter that Obama-era free-riding has left America weakened.
The money trail is instructive. Japan spends only 1% of GDP on defence, South Korea 2.7%, Australia 2.1%. America shoulders 3.5% and rising. According to internal Pentagon costings, the US subsidises its Asian allies by at least $40 billion per year in basing costs, intelligence sharing and hardware. Hegseth wants that number slashed.
Britain's move to reinforce the FPDA is partly a hedge against US unpredictability. "We are stepping up because we must," a British defence source said. The RAF will rotate Typhoon fighters through Malaysia, and HMS Queen Elizabeth may visit Singapore next year. But Whitehall knows the FPDA is symbolic, not strategic. The real weight is the US Navy.
The question is whether Hegseth's blunt talk will force Japan or South Korea to spend more or simply encourage them to cut deals with Beijing. China's defence budget has grown tenfold since 2000. Hegseth's timeline for change is short. If the US demands cash upfront, the allies may start asking whether the American umbrella is worth the premium.
One thing is certain: the era of quiet diplomacy is over. Hegseth's message is a scream from the White House: pay up or go it alone. Britain, for its part, is trying to show it will not bolt. But in the end, the pound sterling cannot substitute for the US dollar and the aircraft carriers it buys.
