TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. Defense nominee John Noh urged Taiwan Tuesday (Oct. 7) to increase military spending to 10% of GDP, citing existential threats. Noh testified before Congress that Taiwan must implement significant training and mobilization reforms for potential invasion scenarios. The Assistant Secretary of Defense nominee for Indo-Pacific security affairs emphasized Taiwan's urgent defense preparedness needs.
Senators Roger Wicker and Ted Budd raised U.S.-Taiwan partnership concerns during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Wicker noted Taiwan's current defense spending represents 3.3% of GDP, while President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) committed to increasing it to 5%. The senator expressed concerns about Pentagon adopting a Ukraine-style model involving Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) material reclamation for Taiwan.
The Washington Post reported President Donald Trump refused to authorize over US$400 million (around NT$12 billion) in PDA military aid to Taiwan in September. Noh praised Taiwan's military spending increases, citing Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo's assessment of threefold deterrent effects. The nominee pledged to expedite Taiwan arms sales and support Defense Department prioritization efforts if confirmed.
Noh brings extensive legal and military experience to the nomination, having previously served as staff on the Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. His background includes direct involvement in U.S.-China strategic policy development. The nominee's experience positions him for the Indo-Pacific security role. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30)