Taiwan says 'impossible' for US to abandon Indo-Pacific – DW – 03/04/2025
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Taiwan says it will increase its defense spending and help its semiconductor industry expand to the US — both issues that Trump had complained about.

Summary

Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo said the US will not abandon the Indo-Pacific, calling it a “core national interest.”

Heightened fears arose after a Trump-Zelenskyy exchange raised questions about Washington’s reliability.

Taiwan plans to boost defense spending and assist TSMC’s US expansion, partly addressing Trump’s earlier complaints.

Trump also urged Taiwan to raise its defense budget to 10% of GDP, far above its current 2.45%.

With China’s ongoing threats, Taipei sees its partnership with the US as essential for maintaining regional stability.