US wants Asian allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense, Pentagon says

Matching European standard 'common sense' in light of China threat: spokesman

20250621 File Photo USS George Washington 2024

The USS George Washington is seen during a trilateral exercise between the U.S., Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea in November 2024. © Reuters

KEN MORIYASU and RINTARO TOBITA

June 21, 2025 11:55 JST

WASHINGTON -- America's allies in Asia should follow Europe and spend 5% of gross domestic product on defense, a Pentagon spokesperson said Friday.

This marks the first time in President Donald Trump's second term that the administration has laid out a regionwide target for the Asia-Pacific region.