TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan leaders have responded to Donald Trump’s suggestion that Taiwan should pay the U.S. for protection, with Premier Chou Jung-tai (卓榮泰) saying the country is willing to take on more responsibility, and the foreign ministry declining to comment.
Speaking at a press conference in Taipei on Wednesday (July 17), Chou said that the government had taken note of Trump's statement. He said Taiwan is willing to take on more responsibility to defend itself and ensure its security without providing specific details, per CNA.
Chou noted that Taiwan has increased its defense budget and lengthened its compulsory military service period as part of its commitment to defense. Chou said that Taiwan is grateful for U.S. assistance and that this has increased Taiwan’s sense of shared responsibility for regional peace and stability.
Chou was responding to comments made by Trump during an interview with Bloomberg published Wednesday, during which he said, “I think Taiwan should pay us for defense."
"You know, we're no different than an insurance company. Taiwan doesn't give us anything," Trump said, while repeating complaints that Taiwan had taken semiconductor business from the U.S.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry provided a statement to Taiwan News that said it does not comment on statements made by U.S. presidential candidates during the election period. The office of President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) referred to the foreign ministry response when asked for comment.
Leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) caucus Wu Su-yao (吳思瑤) declined to comment directly on the Trump interview. Wu told reporters that strengthening exchanges between Taiwan and the U.S. will ensure the relationship remains equal.
Wu said that in addition to Trump, observers may look to his running mate J.D. Vance, who has previously made comments in support of Taiwan. Vance has said that an invasion of Taiwan would “decimate” the U.S. economy when speaking about the need to provide defense.
Speaking to CNA, Kuomintang (KMT) legislators said that Trump has made similar comments regarding U.S. defense commitments to other countries in the past. Trump repeated complaints that South Korea, NATO countries, and others are not paying enough for U.S. military support in an interview with Time Magazine in April.
KMT Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (賴士葆) told CNA that Trump’s comments reflect his nature as a “typical businessman.” Lai said he believes Trump makes decisions based exclusively on U.S. interests, unlike current President Joe Biden, who wants to act as the “world’s police officer” to maintain the current world order.
KMT Legislator Wang Hung-wei (王鴻薇) also said that Trump has long maintained that countries should pay for U.S. protection. She said Trump’s comments call into question whether Taiwanese taxpayers will have to pay more in the future to maintain the cross-strait status quo.
Taiwan People’s Party caucus leader Han Kuo-chang (黃國昌) told reporters that he believes Trump cannot be blamed for his “America first” position, and that it is a reasonable stance during an election campaign. He said international relationships that are unilateral will not last long, and the main point is how the government handles the Taiwan-U.S. relationship post-election.
