Taiwan's Defense Minister Wellington Koo has suggested the United States will continue to be involved with Taiwan under President Donald Trump.



Koo spoke with NHK and other media outlets in Taipei on Monday.



Referring to last week's White House summit between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which developed into a heated exchange over Russia, Koo noted that both parties cannot avoid talking about national interests. He added that he understands the US attaches importance to its own interests.



Koo said that he thinks it is impossible for the United States to retreat from the Indo-Pacific because it is in its core interest.



The minister noted that maintaining the status quo across the Taiwan Strait has been the long-standing consensus between Taiwan and the US, as well as a shared goal.



Koo's remarks appear aimed at easing concerns in Taiwan as to whether the Trump administration, which upholds an America First policy, will intervene in case of a contingency involving Taiwan.