The United States pressures the Taiwanese Parliament to adopt a global defense budget.

Taiwan Proposes Additional $40 Billion in Defense Spending

The Taiwanese government has proposed an additional $40 billion in defense spending. The United States’ de facto ambassador stated, “The sooner the budget is adopted, the better.” The bill on defense spending is currently blocked in the Taiwanese Parliament. The United States is Taiwan’s main arms supplier.

The US ambassador urged Taiwan’s opposition-majority parliament to adopt a “comprehensive” defense budget, emphasizing the crucial importance of integrated air and missile defense systems and drones on a global scale.

President Lai proposed the extra defense spending to counter the Chinese threat, but discussions in Parliament have stalled. The opposition party, Kuomintang (KMT), supports defense spending but seeks more details from the government.

The US ambassador stressed the importance of Taiwan’s comprehensive defense budget in sending a crucial signal internationally. Taiwan aims to acquire various defense systems, including HIMARS rockets and drones.

Taiwan risks losing its place for American arms production and delivery if the defense budget is delayed, according to the government.

Defense Minister Wellington Koo emphasized the real threat faced by Taiwan, pointing to recent Chinese warships near Penghu in the Taiwan Strait. Negotiations on the defense budget are ongoing, with the next round planned for May 6.

The United States is a key supporter and arms supplier to Taiwan, recently signing an $11 billion arms deal, the largest ever for Taipei. China has repeatedly urged the US to stop arms sales to Taiwan. (1 USD = 31.4280 TWD)