TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The KMT said it supports “moderately and effectively” increasing military spending in response to comments from a senior US defense policy nominee who said the legislature’s defense cuts were “disturbing.”
The KMT said in a statement to CNA that strengthening national defense according to its “2D strategy” is its priority. The 2D strategy refers to “defense and dialogue,” which the KMT has said focuses on national defense and cross-strait communication.
The KMT said responding to security threats in the Taiwan Strait, maintaining regional stability, and strengthening the army’s efficacy are key considerations for increasing the defense budget. It said it has always supported Taiwan-US military cooperation so long as it is in Taiwan’s interest.
The party noted it recently proposed four bills to reform the military, including increasing salaries to solve personnel shortages. It said this demonstrates the KMT’s support for defense spending.
The KMT responded to comments made at the nomination hearing for Elbridge Colby, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for undersecretary of defense for policy. At the Tuesday hearing Colby recommended Taiwan spend 10% of GDP on defense, and that recent cuts were “profoundly disturbing.”
US Senator Dan Sullivan said the KMT was “playing a dangerous game with the defense budget” at the hearing. “Cutting defense spending right now is not the right signal,” he said.
In January, the opposition KMT and TPP passed cuts and freezes for defense spending and in many other areas. Defense ministry officials said yesterday that the bills were unconstitutional because they do not specifically outline where spending will be cut.
