“NO FREELOADING”
Since returning to workplace, US President Donald Trump has demanded that allies increase defence spending and has pointedly stated European and NATO companions ought to scale back reliance on Washington.
“The period of the US subsidising the defence of rich nations is over,” Hegseth stated.
“We’d like companions, not protectorates,” he added. “We do not have a robust alliance except everybody has pores and skin within the recreation. No freeloading.”
Hegseth praised contributions from allies and companions together with South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, and stated Japan was taking concrete steps to bolster its defences.
Tokyo and Washington “should every pull our weight to strengthen the US-Japan alliance,” he stated.
