TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) gave an 80-minute interview with international media this week to discuss Taiwan and US relations under the Trump administration. 

In the interview, published by the New York Times on Friday, Koo said the US is still capable of deterring China from launching an attack on Taiwan. However, he added the Taiwanese must take responsibility for national security and make adequate preparations for an asymmetric conflict with China. 

Koo said that despite recent actions and statements by the Trump White House, the US remains committed to stability in the Indo-Pacific. Even amid growing concern about the US commitment to Taiwan, the countries are still important strategic partners for one another. 

“Of course, the Trump administration emphasizes ‘America first.’ But we believe that on security issues, it also emphasizes Indo-Pacific first.” Koo was quoted by NYT. 

During the interview, the defense minister said that Taiwan hopes for prompt weapon sales and deliveries from the US. But Taiwan is also focusing resources on developing asymmetric defense capabilities by manufacturing aerial drones and unmanned sea craft. 

Despite speculation about China’s plans and military ability to launch an attack on Taiwan, Koo said that is not yet imminent, but the threat is increasing. He said that current threat level indicators were between “medium intensity and high intensity,” per NYT. 

The Trump administration is also maintaining calls for Taiwan to invest more on defense spending. In response to US urging, Taiwan has committed to raising defense spending to 3% of its GDP over its initial planned rate of 2.4%, despite the government being locked in an ongoing disagreement over the national budget with the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan.