US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has outlined US defense priorities that focus on deterring China and increasing defense burdens of US allies and partners.
Hegseth was delivering a speech at a forum in California on Saturday.
He listed four high priority areas: defending the US homeland and the western hemisphere; deterring China through strength, not confrontation; increased burden sharing for US allies and partners; and super-charging the US defense industrial base.
Referring to deterring China, Hegseth said a balance of power will enable all countries to enjoy a "decent peace" in the Indo-Pacific region.
He also said the United States is not trying to "strangle China's growth."
He said the United States along with its allies should be postured strongly enough in the Indo-Pacific region to balance China's growing power. He added the US and its allies should be so strong that aggression is not even considered and that peace is preferred and preserved.
Hegseth urged US allies to take on a larger share of defense spending, saying that the United States will no longer tolerate "free riding."
He commended NATO's commitment to spend five percent of GDP on defense. He said the United States is optimistic that other Indo-Pacific allies will follow suit in a few years through the use of the NATO formula.

Quiz 1:
What was one of the four high priority areas outlined by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in his speech?
A. Strengthening the US economy
B. Increasing defense burdens of US allies and partners
C. Exploring new galaxies for colonization
D. Reducing the global carbon footprint

Quiz 2:
According to Hegseth, what is the aim in deterring China?
A. To strangle China's growth
B. To confront China forcefully
C. To maintain a balance of power for a 'decent peace' in the Indo-Pacific region
D. To provoke conflict with China

Quiz 3:
What did Hegseth encourage US allies to do regarding defense spending?
A. Increase defense spending to match the United States
B. Decrease defense spending to reduce burden sharing
C. Maintain current defense spending levels
D. He did not urge any action about defense spending