Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) spoke in the Legislature on Friday morning, upholding Taiwan’s defense budget planning and target of 3%, which Koo said is based on a myriad of factors including the country’s fiscal affordability and presidential policy.
Koo’s defense of the budget was spurred in response largely to remarks made by U.S. undersecretary of defense for policy nominee Elbridge Colby, who said he believes Taiwan should up defense spending to a ballpark of 10% of the GDP. Additionally, Japanese media reported that Taiwan may feel pressure to increase defense spending to make up for U.S.-Taiwan trade imbalances.
In response, Koo pointed out that the U.S. and Taiwan share a common interest in a deterrence strategy against China. On defense equipment procurement, Koo said it is always carried out according to combat needs and includes weapons procurement, operation maintenance, military training, and independent research and development.
Furthermore, he said the current budget goal is in line with President Lai Ching-te’s (賴清德) policy instructions, as commander-in-chief. When asked by the media if the proposal of raising defense spending to 10% would become a future goal, Koo said that Lai’s instructions are based on this goal, but that the planning would be based on the future relevant enemy threats and actual needs.