UK special relationship with US ‘meaningless’ unless it boosts defence, Hegseth warns

The UK’s special relationship with the United States risks becoming “meaningless” unless Britain enhances its military capabilities to match those of the US, according to Pete Hegseth, former US war secretary under Donald Trump. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Hegseth emphasized that close allies must “lock arms and shields” with the US by contributing more substantially to collective defense. He warned that allies perceived as “freeloading” on American military strength would face penalties, including reduced access to arms sales and intelligence sharing. Hegseth highlighted that countries demonstrating commitment to boosting their defense capabilities, such as South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, would be prioritized for closer cooperation with the US. He made clear that the era of the US subsidizing the defense of wealthy nations was over, signaling a shift in Washington’s approach to alliances. The message was directed at longstanding partners, including the UK, which has faced criticism from former US officials for not meeting defense spending expectations. The remarks come amid growing tensions between the UK and the US over defense commitments. The UK government has faced scrutiny over delays in its defense investment plan, raising questions about its future military spending. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to increase national security expenditure to 5 percent of GDP by 2035, with 3.5 percent allocated to core defense, but the plan’s details are yet to be finalized. The comments also follow previous criticisms from Hegseth regarding allied support for US military actions, notably in the context of tensions with Iran. This evolving dynamic underscores the increasing pressure on traditional US allies to enhance their defense contributions amid shifting global security challenges. The US is signaling a more transactional approach to alliances, prioritizing tangible military capabilities and burden-sharing over historical ties alone. This could reshape defense cooperation frameworks and influence future strategic partnerships.