US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the era of providing subsidies from the United States to wealthy nations has ended. He made the statement on Saturday while attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Hegseth warned that if the Pacific region falls under the control of any hegemonic power, it would disrupt the regional balance of power.

He added that despite months of discussions about a possible war with Iran, the United States remains committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. Hegseth also said that under President Donald Trump, relations between the United States and China have improved compared to previous years. He noted that the US is holding more frequent meetings with Chinese counterparts while keeping military communication channels open.

Hegseth emphasized that the United States insists China must respect its long-standing presence in the region, underscoring Washington’s strategic focus on stability and openness in the Indo-Pacific.