TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US President Donald Trump's pick for Pentagon policy, who has called for Taiwan to substantially increase its defense spending, was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday.

Elbridge Colby was confirmed for his post as under secretary of defense for policy with a vote of 54-45, mainly along party lines, with three Democrats also supporting him, while Mitch McConnell was the sole Republican opposing him, per Politico. Colby previously served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development under the first Trump administration. 

In March, Colby told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Taiwan's defense budget as a percentage of GDP remains well below 3%. “I agree with President Trump that they should be more like 10% or at least something in that ballpark really focused on their defense," said Colby. 

He said that one of his key objectives upon taking office would be to prevent Taiwan from “precipitating a conflict that is not necessary with Beijing” while giving the US military time to address the deteriorating balance of power with China. He stressed that the US's core interest is "denying China regional hegemony.”

When asked about Taiwan’s legislature cutting its defense budget, Colby said, “I'm profoundly disturbed.” Colby said he has pushed for Taiwan to learn from South Korea by developing a more serious military.

He argued that expecting Americans, particularly US troops, to take on risks while “our allies are not pulling their weight” is unfair.

Last year, Colby repeatedly urged Taiwan to increase its defense spending from 2.5% of its GDP to a minimum of 5%. He argued that Taiwan’s large foreign reserves of nearly US$580 billion (NT$19.16 trillion) could be used to fund this.