TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) on Monday suggested that Taiwan’s military could express willingness to assist the US in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

During a legislative committee hearing, Wang said that US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with allies not contributing forces to mine-sweeping efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, per CNA. He then asked whether Taiwan’s military should show a willingness to assist.

National Security Bureau Director-General Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥) said the issue is hypothetical. He said that Taiwan's situation differs from that of other US allies because any deployment of forces would require an assessment of threats from China, making the conditions more complex.

Vice Defense Minister Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) said, “The idea is quite creative, but we have not considered it.” He said key constraints are logistics and sustainment. 

Hsu said Taiwan’s naval minesweepers are relatively small and may not be capable of reaching the Strait of Hormuz. He added that, given heavy operational demands around Taiwan and frequent harassment by Chinese naval vessels, it remains to be evaluated whether the Navy’s already limited mine-clearing capabilities should be deployed abroad.

Wang also raised concerns about whether the Navy’s mine-clearing capacity is sufficient. Navy Chief of Staff Chu Hui-min (朱惠民) responded that efforts are ongoing.

He added that the development of minelaying capabilities and smart naval mines is also in progress.