### Tensions Rise at Asia Security Forum as Defense Chief Hegseth Urges Focus on Defense Spending, Not Trade Wars

**SINGAPORE** - At Asia's leading security forum, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was firm in his stance: the focus should be on "tanks, not tariffs." However, other leaders struggled to separate discussions of military strategy from the looming shadow of President Donald Trump's trade war.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual summit in Singapore, Hegseth emphasized the need for increased defense expenditures among Asian countries, advocating for a boost to 5 percent of their gross domestic product. This call raised eyebrows in a region already grappling with military spending surges and developmental challenges.

Hegseth's speech was a blend of hardline defense rhetoric and assurances of non-interference. He underscored that the Trump administration was not in Singapore to lecture on human rights or climate change, but rather to collaborate where mutual interests in peace and prosperity aligned. He also reiterated the U.S. commitment to maintaining its strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific, resisting any efforts by China to alter the region's military equilibrium.

Absent from this year's forum was a top defense official from Beijing to counter the Pentagon chief's remarks, a departure from previous years. Instead, Hegseth reassured his audience of America's dedication to the Indo-Pacific, which he described as the "priority theater" for U.S. strategic interests. This sentiment was echoed by Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, who hailed the U.S. focus on regional peace and stability.

Yet, the forum could not completely sidestep Trump's contentious trade policies. ASEAN leaders, whose countries are pivotal exporters in the region, have been significantly affected by the hefty tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized these trade restrictions, arguing that robust trade is essential for regional stability and growth.

Skepticism also followed Hegseth’s appeal for increased defense budgets. Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani openly resisted the idea of acquisitions as a trade-off to ease tariffs, while Mohd Faiz Abdullah of Malaysia's Institute of Strategic and International Studies questioned the feasibility of such economic demands on developing nations. He advocated instead for deeper U.S. economic engagement in ASEAN.

Adding to the chorus of concern was Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, who emphasized the role of economic interdependence in maintaining global security. Her vision, along with that of French President Emmanuel Macron, suggested that the complexities of a U.S.-China rivalry demand a balanced, multilateral approach rather than forced alignments.

In a powerful closing remark, Singapore's Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing called for adherence to principles that sustain a global order and prevent a descent into an anarchic world where only might prevails. This plea highlighted the broader apprehension shared among the delegates: the need for a stable and cooperative international environment in the face of rising geopolitical uncertainties.