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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Elections & Politics

Ex-White House official: Taiwan opposition blocking arms purchases is 'provocative'

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A former White House official urged Taiwan to significantly increase defense spending, particularly on asymmetric warfare capabilities.
  • He criticized some Taiwanese opposition voices for blocking military purchases, calling it "provocative" and a sign of "weakness" to Beijing.
  • The official stressed the importance of US-Taiwan cooperation on developing systems like drones.

David Feith, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and former senior director at the U.S. National Security Council, has called on Taiwan to substantially increase its defense budget, emphasizing the need for investment in asymmetric warfare capabilities.

During an interview, Feith stated that both the U.S. and Taiwan are currently "not investing enough" in defense. He echoed former President Trump's call for the U.S. defense budget to reach $1.5 trillion and urged allies, including Taiwan, to follow suit. Feith specifically advocated for Taiwan's legislature to approve larger defense budgets, allocating funds towards crucial asymmetric capabilities like drones, which he deems vital for Taiwan's self-defense and for shared U.S.-Taiwan interests.

Feith expressed strong criticism towards certain voices within Taiwan's opposition parties, particularly the Kuomintang (KMT), who he says are blocking funding for drone development and other asymmetric warfare initiatives. He described this behavior as "worse than disappointing" and "provocative," citing the military maxim "weakness is provocative." Feith believes such actions signal "weakness" to Beijing and could embolden China.

I think this is provocative. This signals weakness to Beijing.

— David FeithFeith described the opposition within Taiwan's political parties to funding asymmetric warfare capabilities as provocative.

While acknowledging the democratic process of allocating funds, Feith argued that given the significant threat from Beijing, a bipartisan consensus to increase defense spending would be a more prudent approach. He highlighted the importance of U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in co-producing critical systems like drones, which are essential for Taiwan's defense strategy against a potential invasion.

Feith's remarks come amid ongoing discussions about Taiwan's defense budget and procurement, particularly concerning the development of asymmetric capabilities designed to counter a potential invasion by mainland China. His comments underscore the U.S. perspective on Taiwan's defense needs and the perceived urgency of strengthening its military posture.

Taiwan should significantly increase its defense spending and invest in important asymmetric capabilities like drones.

— David FeithFeith urged Taiwan to boost its defense budget and focus on specific military technologies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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