American political commentator and columnist for the New York Times Thomas Friedman is advising Taiwan to adopt a “hedgehog”-like stance to deter China from aggression, while maintaining cooperation, peace, and a low profile as it develops its economy and technology. The three-time Pulitzer Prize winning commentator spoke via video at the 2025 Global Views Leaders Forum this Wednesday, November 5, also stating that the era of unwavering United States support for Taiwan ended when President Donald Trump took office.

This Thursday, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) responded, saying that Taiwan has a consensus with the U.S. on the direction of its self-defense capabilities, focusing on “ensuring peace through strength,” and that Taiwan has continued developing accordingly.

Koo added, “The U.S. is not only assisting us in strengthening our defense capabilities, but also working with like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific region to jointly enhance our collective deterrence capabilities, using strength to ensure peace. I think this remains the unchanging policy direction of the United States.”