Taipei: Taiwan's Defense Minister, Wellington Koo, has emphasized that the United States cannot afford to step back from the Indo-Pacific region, as it remains a key national interest for Washington.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over U.S. security commitments to Taiwan, especially in light of tensions between the White House and Ukraine.
The recent dispute between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked worries in Taiwan about America's reliability as a security partner, particularly as China continues to escalate military pressure to assert its territorial claims over the island.
Speaking at a briefing on Monday, Koo acknowledged the rapidly shifting global landscape, stating that national interests must be prioritized alongside shared democratic values. He posed a critical question: "Is maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific—including the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea—a fundamental U.S. interest?" His answer was clear: "The United States cannot withdraw from the region because it is essential to its strategic and economic priorities."
Koo reaffirmed that Taiwan and the U.S. share a long-standing agreement that strength and deterrence are key to ensuring peace. He underscored that stability in the Indo-Pacific is crucial for Washington, both in terms of security and economic interests.
While the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, it remains the island's most significant international supporter and primary arms supplier. During his first presidency, Trump backed Taiwan, but his recent campaign comments suggesting Taiwan should contribute more for U.S. security guarantees have raised uncertainties.
