Taiwan's pledge to raise defense spending 'essential': Boris Johnson

Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) Visiting former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday praised the recent pledge made by Taiwan's government to raise defense spending to more than 3 percent of GDP as "essential" to meeting the rising military threat from Beijing.

He also said he believes the U.K. and other European countries have a great deal to contribute to the Indo-Pacific region's security instead of leaving all the work to the United States.

Johnson, who served as Conservative Party prime minister from July 2019 to September 2022, made the comments during a Taipei press event when asked by a reporter what European countries would do should certain contingencies take place in the Indo-Pacific region.

In response, Johnson, who is no longer a member of the U.K. Parliament and was speaking as a private citizen, said while he was U.K. prime minister, his administration introduced the 2021 Integrated Review, which outlined a strategic "tilt" to the Indo-Pacific.

He said that as a "believer" of the so-called "Indo-Pacific tilt," he thinks the U.K. and other European countries "have a great deal to contribute in this part of the world."

"I know that there are some voices in Washington, basically saying leave it all to the United States. I don't think that's a very.... I think we should do it together."

● Ex-U.K. prime minister voices support for Taiwan, urges deeper ties

Johnson concurred with a recent comment made by Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey, who said the U.K. "is prepared to fight in the Indo-Pacific if necessary" alongside its long-term allies, namely, Australia and the United States.

"These are countries that have worked together side by side for decades and decades on problems like this, and I'm sure we will do in the future," he said.

Healey's statement was reported as being made on board HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin, Australia, according to a Telegraph report on July 27.

"If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the U.K. are nations that will fight together. We exercise together, and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together," Healey was quoted as saying in the Telegraph article.

The former U.K. leader also said during Tuesday's press conference that his country has pledged to increase defense spending. He believes that NATO and almost every European country should also be spending more on defense faced with the looming threat posed by Russia.

"I'm very glad that Taiwan is also going up to 3 percent of GDP spending on defense. That's essential," he added.

In 2025, Taiwan's Cabinet earmarked NT$647 billion (US$19.7 billion) for defense spending, amounting to 2.45 percent of GDP. President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) government has repeatedly pledged to hike Taiwan's military spending to over 3 percent of GDP.

Meanwhile, asked to advise Taiwan on how to negotiate with the Trump administration in the hope of possibly lowering the 20 percent blanket tariff currently imposed, Johnson said he believes Trump is "fundamentally a big supporter of Taiwan."

"What Donald Trump likes is deals, come up with deals, give them a success," he proposed.

The White House announced on July 31 a 20 percent blanket tariff on Taiwan, down from the 32 percent it unveiled on April 2. Taiwan's government has said the 20 percent is provisional and a lower levy is being sought through further negotiations with the U.S.

Johnson is visiting Taiwan from Monday to Tuesday, mainly to speak at the annual Taipei-based regional security Ketagalan Forum. He also met with President Lai in the Presidential Office earlier Tuesday.