Trump Ally Hints at Increased Defense Costs for Korea and Japan: "US Taxpayers Alone Can't Contain China"

Former National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien

A close aide to former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate in the United States, emphasized the need to increase defense spending, including the cost-sharing for the stationing of U.S. troops in South Korea and Japan.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Robert O'Brien, who served as the White House National Security Advisor during the Trump administration, stated in an interview with CBS on the 23rd (local time), "American taxpayers cannot deter China alone, and we need the help of our allies."

In response to the point that U.S. allies such as South Korea, Japan, and Europe already bear part of the costs for maintaining U.S. troops stationed in their countries, he replied, "It is not enough, and American taxpayers are bearing a tremendous burden."

O'Brien said, "We spend 4% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense," adding, "We want our allies to take responsibility and participate in the same way as we do."

He also suggested expanding domestic energy production in the U.S. and imposing sanctions on the Russian central bank as measures to respond to Russia. Regarding Iran, he emphasized the need to apply maximum pressure.

O'Brien served as the White House National Security Advisor from September 2019 until the end of former President Trump's term. There are expectations that if former President Trump succeeds in re-entering the White House in the November election, O'Brien may be reappointed as National Security Advisor or appointed as Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense.