Taiwan Minister Issues Response to Trumps Defense Comments

(OurNationNews.com) Some of former president Donald Trump’s recent comments on Taiwan have raised doubts about the island nation’s continued capability to stay independent in the light of heightened tensions – and the threat of occupation – from China should Trump succeed in securing a second term at the White House.

When asked what his plans were regarding Taiwan should he win the elections in November, Trump implied that the small island country was freeloading, saying that “Taiwan should pay us [the U.S.] for defense.” The former president also claimed that Taiwan had taken “100%” of the chip business from America, adding that Taiwan “doesn’t give us [America] anything”.

Reactions Taiwan have been mixed, with Joann Ko (Ko Chih-en), a prominent lawmaker and member of the Taiwanese Kuomintang Party, said that Trump’s comments were surprising, adding that the government was taking steps to boost its spending on national defense and that the country “pays enough” to the U.S. in terms of the weapons’ orders it makes from the country – despite some reports showing that Taiwan has one of longest wait times when it comes to receiving weapons’ orders from the States. Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai echoed similar sentiments, saying that the country was willing to “take more responsibility” in terms of national defense.

A lawyer based in Taiwan, Ross Feingold, who was also a former Asia chairman for Republicans Abroad, said that Trump was right to point out that Taiwan needs to spend more of its GDP on national defense. Spending for the country’s defenses previously only amounted to 2% of Taiwan’s GDP, but has since increased to 2.5%. In contrast, however, Trump demands NATO countries – of which Taiwan is not a member – spend at least 3% of their GDP on its defensive and military capabilities.

In a statement, the de-facto Taiwanese embassy in Washington said that Taiwan is an important part of global prosperity, stressing that it was in the interest of the international community that peace in the Taiwan Strait be kept.