Trump Denies Musk Access to Military Plans Amid Rising Tensions with China
Donald Trump has denied giving Elon Musk access to U.S. military plans related to China, asserting that Mr. Musk’s visit to the Pentagon was ordinary and denying claims made in a New York Times report. With increasing concerns of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan by 2027, President Lai Ching-te has vowed to enhance Taiwan’s defense budget and military capabilities amidst rising personnel shortages.
Former President Donald Trump has refuted claims that he provided Elon Musk access to the United States military’s confidential plans regarding a potential conflict with China. This denial came as Mr. Musk visited the Pentagon, where he was reportedly scheduled to receive a briefing in a secure setting designated for critical military discussions. Concerns arose surrounding Mr. Musk’s potential access to sensitive information, given his companies, SpaceX and Tesla, are significant military suppliers while also maintaining financial interests in China.
Following the report published by the New York Times, Mr. Trump branded it as “fake news,” asserting that issues concerning China would not be part of the discussion during Mr. Musk’s visit. Mr. Musk supported this claim, labeling the report as “pure propaganda” and indicating a willingness to address those disseminating false information maliciously. The Pentagon confirmed Mr. Musk’s visit was an invitation extended by Secretary Hegseth, expressing enthusiasm about hosting the billionaire.
The ongoing dialogue is particularly pertinent, given escalating anxieties regarding a potential Chinese military action against Taiwan, which might occur as soon as 2027. Recent statements from Taiwan’s defense ministry have alluded to this timeline amid preparations for simulated military exercises. US officials had previously indicated a similar readiness from Beijing concerning their military advancements, raising alarms about increased tensions in the region.
Although Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, dismissed the significance of a specific year, it is acknowledged that plans for the island’s largest annual military drills have outlined a possible year for an invasion. The extension of these drills to 10 days this summer demonstrates an increased urgency in preparation, despite political challenges within Taiwan’s government regarding defense spending.
In a recent speech to the American Chamber of Commerce, Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, affirmed a commitment to boosting the defense budget to over 3 percent of GDP, which presently stands at approximately 2.45 percent. This commitment is intended to reinforce confidence among US officials regarding Taiwan’s defense capabilities, despite the absence of official diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the US. Mr. Trump has publicly critiqued Taiwan’s defense spending, suggesting it could be raised to 10 percent of GDP, considerably higher than current US or UK expenditures.
China’s defense budget, although officially reported to be under 2 percent of GDP, is nevertheless a point of contention in terms of military strength, with the US maintaining the largest military budget globally. Mr. Musk has faced backlash from Taiwanese officials for previous statements on the Taiwan-China relationship, including comments suggesting that Taiwan might operate as a special administrative zone under Beijing’s influence. President Lai announced plans to enhance military purchasing and provide increased payouts to service members as part of an effort to reverse rising personnel shortages.
Despite appeals for greater military enlistment, recent reports indicate a significant increase in early contract terminations by soldiers in Taiwan, rising from 401 instances in 2020 to 1,565 in 2024. Amidst these challenges, Mr. Lai urged unity in safeguarding Taiwan’s freedoms and democratic values.
In summary, Donald Trump has denied allegations of granting Elon Musk access to U.S. military secrets concerning a possible conflict with China, emphasizing the nature of Mr. Musk’s Pentagon visit purely as an invitation. Amid rising tensions regarding potential Chinese military actions against Taiwan, these developments poignantly reflect the complexities entwining military readiness, defense spending, and international relations. Taiwan’s government is actively pursuing an increase in defense expenditure while navigating internal political obstacles and personnel challenges.
Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
