Visiting U.S. legislators have pressed Taiwan’s parliament to approve a stalled $40 billion defense budget, cautioning that delays could undermine the island’s ability to withstand increasing pressure from China.
The proposed spending increase, put forth by President Lai Ching-te, currently faces an impasse in the opposition-controlled legislature, despite persistent military tensions in the region.
Republican Senator John Curtis, a member of a bipartisan delegation, highlighted the budget’s “significance” and stressed that continued U.S. support comes with the expectation that Taiwan will also strengthen its own defense capabilities.
Washington serves as Taipei’s primary arms supplier and is in the process of preparing an additional arms package worth approximately $14 billion, which would augment existing deals already approved by Taiwan’s parliament.
U.S. officials have also voiced concern over heightened Chinese military activity around the island, warning of an increased risk of miscalculation. Beijing, which asserts its claim over Taiwan as its territory, has reiterated its opposition to official contacts between the U.S. and Taipei.
The Taiwanese military