Former President Donald Trump attended the Pi Serves Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the opening day of the Republican National Convention where the presidential candidate is nominated. He is seen with a white gauze attached to his right ear, injured by gunfire on the 13th. EPA=Yonhap News
On November, in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, former President Donald Trump is speculated to be considered as a candidate for National Security Adviser to the White House, should he win. Elbridge Colby, former Under Secretary of Defense and a possible candidate for the post if Trump wins, stated that “China poses the biggest external challenge” and argued that the U.S. military should be positioned to prepare for decisive moments with China rather than being spread across the world.
Colby stated at a policy event hosted by the think tank Heritage Foundation during the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the 15th local time, highlighting the potential for military conflict with China. He said, “Some officials in the Biden administration also say that China is preparing for war,” adding that “while Russia is threatening, China’s GDP is 10 times that of Russia.” He emphasized the need for the U.S. to prevent China from dominating Asia, as it would control more than half of the world’s economy.
Colby also argued that the deployment of overseas U.S. troops should be changed to counter the threat from China. He emphasized that the Biden administration has deployed the military not at decisive points but broadly around the world, and mentioned that U.S. allies like Japan, South Korea, India, and Australia are weaker than China. This indicates a possibility of rearranging the deployment of U.S. troops overseas to prioritize defense in the Indo-Pacific region. Colby mentioned in an interview with the
JoongAng Ilbo in April that “instead of using U.S. forces in South Korea to deter China, it is necessary to consider South Korea’s own nuclear armament as a deterrent.”
He also made statements suggesting that allied countries should bear more defense costs, using South Korea as an example. Colby assessed the defense capabilities of allies in the Indo-Pacific region, saying, “‘South Korea and India are models’. “South Korea spends 2.7-2.8% of its GDP on defense, based on conscription,” he said, adding that “they have a strong defense industry and take national defense very seriously.”
US troops conducting urban warfare at the 1st International Science Combat Competition held at the Army Science Warfare Training Center in Inje, Gangwon Province, in October last year. Photo by Army
On the other hand, regarding Taiwan, he commented, “Defense spending is less than 3%, which is almost a joke,” and stated, “This country is facing a very serious threat. The threat from China, which is more than 1,500 times greater than that from North Korea, is a huge threat.”
Colby’s remarks that day are based on the philosophy of former President Trump. During his tenure, Trump expressed strong dissatisfaction towards countries within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that did not meet the 2% defense spending target as a percentage of GDP, calling them “owing to us (the US).”
He also emphasized the legitimacy of the “America First” diplomatic policy. Colby criticized President Biden’s foreign policy, stating that “foreign policy should not become religion. Agreements should be logical and mutually beneficial in the long term.” He stressed the need for a more serious approach to protect U.S. interests, collaborate with allied countries, and said, “Why should Korea, India, or Poland prioritize their interests over ours (the US)? We want to protect U.S. interests and cooperate with allied countries, but a more serious approach is needed.”
Robert O’Brien, who was a key advisor for foreign and security policy during the first term of President Trump, emphasized the need for NATO member countries to increase defense spending. At a CNN-Politico-hosted dialogue held locally, O’Brien stated, “We have kept Europe safe from the Soviets for decades,” and said, “The Europeans must pay their fair share for their security.” He added, “They need to invest as much in their security as American taxpayers,” and questioned, “Why shouldn’t they pay for their military?”