As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take office in the United States, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) says Taiwan is ready to increase its defense budget in response to his call for stronger self-defense capabilities.
During a legislative meeting on Wednesday, Koo said Taiwan’s military procurement strategy will focus on operational needs with key priorities including developing asymmetric capabilities, enhancing operational resilience, strengthening reserve forces, and countering gray-zone threats. Koo added that President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) has already declared that Taiwan’s defense budget will grow steadily.
Speaking with Japanese media, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) said Taiwan’s defense spending has already risen to 2.5% of GDP, surpassing Japan and many NATO member countries. He says Taiwan is prepared to enhance its commitment to national defense and deepen security cooperation with the United States.
The Legislature’s Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee will review defense and international affairs budgets.