Pentagon Chief Hegseth Demands NATO Allies Boost Defence Spending, End US 'Free-Riding'

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a sharp rebuke to European NATO members on Thursday, accusing them of decades of military "free-riding" on American security guarantees. Speaking at a NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels, Hegseth unveiled a review that could significantly reshape the United States' military presence across Europe and signalled the Trump administration's determination to shift the burden of European defence to its allies themselves.

Hegseth framed the challenge as a fundamental restructuring of the alliance, calling for "NATO 3.0" — a reimagined partnership built on robust European military capabilities rather than continued dependence on the United States. He criticised the current arrangement as a "one-way street" and likened the alliance to a "paper tiger," arguing that NATO had strayed from the model that "won the Cold War." The Pentagon chief emphasised that President Trump has consistently pressed this point across multiple administrations and that the administration's position on allies stepping up militarily has been unwavering.

Hegseth's statement reflects escalating frustration within the Trump administration over defence spending disparities. His call for European partners to take greater responsibility for their own security comes as Washington reassesses its military commitments globally. The review he unveiled could lead to reductions in US troop deployments, base closures, or altered security arrangements across Europe, putting pressure on NATO members to increase defence investments and capabilities.

The rhetoric underscores a broader strategic shift, with the administration signalling that the post-Cold War security architecture—where the US underwrote European defence—is no longer sustainable. Hegseth's demand for a "real military alliance" suggests the administration expects NATO members to move closer to defence self-sufficiency, particularly as the US balances commitments across multiple regions and seeks to reduce defence spending abroad.