According to Taiwanese media on October 8, regarding the request by U.S. officials for Taiwan's military spending to account for 10% of GDP, Taiwan's "Defense Minister" Ku Li-yung responded that Taiwan will continue to strengthen its self-defense capabilities. President Lai Ching-te has promised to increase military spending, and it should exceed 3% next year, gradually increasing to achieve the pledged 5%.
More than a month ago, in response to Trump's demand for Taiwan to increase military spending to 10% of GDP, Lai Ching-te promised to follow NATO standards, aiming to reach 5% by 2030. This statement was clearly an attempt to curry favor with the United States. The "Taiwan independence" hardliner Ku Li-yung made a similar response. This kind of de facto tribute reflects the ugly face of "Taiwan independence" forces who offer the hard-earned money of the Taiwanese people to U.S. arms dealers.
The Trump administration will not be satisfied with a 5% military spending extortion. It will subsequently use means such as high-priced arms sales and the plundering of TSMC technology to drain Taiwan. People like Lai Ching-te and Ku Li-yung are deluded into thinking that they can obtain U.S. protection through military donations. However, they do not realize that what the United States wants is Taiwan's chips and funds, not the "Taiwan independence" commitment. Their gamble of relying on the U.S. to seek "independence" will ultimately lead to the accelerated demise of "Taiwan independence."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845439873860611/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.