Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, has issued a stark warning to Asian allies: increase military contributions or risk regional security. Speaking at a security summit in Hawaii, Hegseth pointed to the UK-ANZUS framework as a template for burden-sharing, arguing that longstanding partnerships like those with Australia and New Zealand show how allies can shoulder more responsibility.
“The era of free riding is over,” Hegseth said. “Our allies in Asia must realise that collective defence means collective investment. The UK-ANZUS relationship is a prime example of how two nations can align strategy, share costs, and enhance deterrence without overburdening the US taxpayer.”
His comments come as Washington presses Japan, South Korea, and other partners to boost defence budgets in the face of North Korean threats and Chinese military expansion. While Japan has already pledged to raise spending to 2 per cent of GDP, some critics argue that cash alone does not solve interoperability issues or political will.
But for workers in Britain’s defence-industrial heartlands, the message hits close to home. Shipbuilders on the Clyde and engineers in Derby have long relied on export orders tied to alliance frameworks. A stronger commitment from Asian allies could mean more UK-made equipment sold abroad, but only if the government can navigate post-Brexit trade deals and procurement rules.
Union leaders are cautious. “We welcome anything that protects jobs and skills,” said a spokesperson for the GMB union. “But we need guarantees that UK workers will benefit, not just shareholders in multinational arms firms.”
The UK-ANZUS model, formally the Joint Combined Training Centre, has been praised for boosting interoperability between British, Australian, and New Zealand forces. Hegseth’s enthusiasm for replicating it in Asia raises questions about whether the UK can maintain its own defence commitments while helping allies ramp up.
For households in Portsmouth or Plymouth, where naval bases anchor local economies, the debate is not abstract. “We see the ships go out, but we also see the cost of living bite,” said a local Labour councillor. “If this alliance means more orders and more jobs, fine. But don't let it be a blank cheque for defence contractors while families struggle with energy bills.”
Hegseth’s speech underscores a broader shift: the US wants allies to pay more, but the working classes on both sides of the Atlantic worry about who foots the bill. Whether the UK can leverage its position without sacrificing domestic priorities remains to be seen. As one Ministry of Defence source put it, “Burden-sharing sounds good in a summit. The real test is whether it translates into fair wages and secure jobs at home.”
