The United States has again criticized NATO allies for underinvesting in defense, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Asian partners for increasing defense spending.
"When our interests align, we act together. When they diverge, we adjust pragmatically. Western Europe might take note," he said.
European officials downplayed tensions, with Germany accelerating military investment. NATO officials reassured Asian partners of the alliance's credibility beyond Europe.
French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin said, "Our credibility in Asia depends on our robustness in Europe, defending Ukraine against Russian aggression."
Some US lawmakers are working to reassure allies of bipartisan support for NATO and the Indo-Pacific.
