SEOUL, August 16 (AJP) - A senior U.S. defense official on Friday urged Asian allies to increase defense spending and take on greater responsibilities for collective defense, echoing Washington’s push for fairer burden-sharing ahead of a summit with Seoul.
Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, "It’s common sense that all allies, especially in Asia, need to pull their weight. That’s how we get peace through strength and sustainable collective defense."
Colby also said, "Fortunately, many of our allies, led by Europe, get it," citing New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins, who told Australian media that the United States had long carried the burden of global defense, saying "the Americans have been carrying us" while others focused on welfare and free services.
In a separate post on Thursday night, he said, pacifism is "not the answer," stressing that the military "must be ready to fight and defeat aggression against our key interests, especially in Asia," and that Washington must have the "industrial base" to support its posture under President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Colby’s remarks come as the Trump administration pushes NATO members to raise defense spending targets from 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) to 5%.
The United States raised the issue of "alliance modernization" during consultations in July, urging South Korea to boost defense spending and adjust roles between the two militaries as part of a future-oriented strategic alliance.
Defense burden-sharing is expected to feature prominently when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung meets Trump at the White House on Aug. 25 for their first bilateral summit.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments