The United States will "not abandon" the Asia-Pacific region which is part of its "core national interests," said Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo on Monday.

A televised row between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, last week has prompted fears in Taiwan about the US' security commitment to its allies. 

"We indeed noticed the fast-changing and tricky international situation and deeply understand that we can't just talk about values but not national interests," Koo told reporters at a briefing when asked whether the US is still a reliable security partner for Taiwan.

"So we must ask: keeping the peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region including the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, is that a core US national interest?" Koo asked.

"I think it is impossible for the United States to retreat from the Indo-Pacific because it is its core national interest," he said, answering his own question. 

Taiwan ups military spending

Koo said the island is planning to boost military spending in the face of the "rapidly changing international situation and the escalating threats from adversaries." He did not give any specific numbers.

On Tuesday, the presidential office said the Taiwanese government will assist Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (TSMC) expand to the US while keeping its "most advanced" technologies at home. 

Trump had repeatedly criticized Taiwan over its dominance of the global semiconductor chip industry and even suggested that the island increase its defense spending to 10% of its GDP. Taiwan currently spends 2.45% of its GDP on its military.

US-Taiwan ties

The US is Taiwan's most important security backing in the face of a constant threat of invasion by Beijing. 

China, which claims Taiwan is part its territory, has not ruled out the use of force to reassert its borders.

Under former President Joe Biden, the US approved millions of dollars in defense support for Taiwan and remained its strongest ally, despite Washington not having official diplomatic ties with Taipei. That could change with the new president. 

Just last week, Trump declined to commit to Taiwan's defense if China were to invade.

Edited by: Farah Bahgat