Hong-Lun Tiunn
U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that Taiwan should shoulder a greater share of its own defense costs, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stressed that the United States should no longer be responsible for fully subsidizing the protection of its allies abroad. Moreover, Elbridge Colby, the nominee for undersecretary of defense for policy, criticized Taiwan’s defense spending – currently “well below” 3 percent of GDP – as insufficient. During his Senate confirmation hearing, he suggested increasing Taiwan’s defense spending to approximately 10 percent of GDP to enhance Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
Although Trump’s remark was initially dismissed as an offhand comment, the follow-up statements from Hegseth and Colby now suggest a significant strategic recalibration in U.S. defense policy toward Taiwan. These statements offer insight into a rapidly evolving Taiwan-U.S. defense relationship.
As U.S. military aid and strategic support for Taiwan are being reshaped, all eyes are on the question: How will Taiwan-U.S. defense relations evolve during Trump’s second term? Will arms sales, military assistance, and strategic commitments undergo fundamental changes?
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