US President Donald Trump’s administration is stepping up pressure on key allies in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly Japan and Australia, demanding clear commitments on their role in the event of a war between the US and China over Taiwan, the Financial Times reported, citing informed sources.
“US Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby has been actively raising the issue in meetings with Japanese and Australian defence officials in recent months. Sources said this has perplexed allies because the US itself does not provide Taiwan with security assurances,” the report said.
“Specific operational planning and training, which have direct application to the Taiwan contingency, are being advanced with Japan and Australia,” one of the publication’s interlocutors noted.
But Japan’s Defence Ministry said the issue of a Taiwan contingency was hypothetical and responses should be based on national and international law. The Australian embassy in the US refrained from commenting.
Colby’s efforts, according to the publication, are part of implementing Trump’s agenda to “restore deterrence and achieve peace through strength”, which includes calls for allies to increase defence spending.
Colby is also said to be in favour of renegotiating the AUKUS Security Agreement, which allows Australia to acquire nuclear submarines, and calling on European allies to reduce military presence in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on the Euro-Atlantic direction.