Hegseth praises Asian allies for 'burden-sharing,' calls out China's role in the region

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth takes questions during a press briefing at the Pentagon on May 5, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images The U.S. aims to sustain equilibrium in the Asia-Pacific region and is working toward a situation where its allies are more capable, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said, while also warning China not to disrupt the status quo. …