The United States has called on Taiwan’s opposition-led legislature to approve a comprehensive defence budget, warning that any delays could weaken the island’s efforts to bolster its military preparedness amid escalating regional tensions with China.
Taiwan’s government is seeking approval for a $40 billion supplemental defence spending package designed to enhance both imported US weaponry and domestically developed systems, including drones. However, political divisions have stalled the proposal in parliament.
Raymond Greene, the de facto US ambassador to Taiwan and head of the American Institute in Taiwan, emphasized in an interview with Taiwanese media that passing the proposed budget is crucial for Taiwan’s security and its international posture.
Greene highlighted that the budget would enable Taiwan to acquire the full spectrum of defence capabilities it has requested. He pointed out that integrated air and missile defence systems, along with drones, are critically important and in high demand worldwide, referencing their use in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East.
President Lai Ching-te has introduced the multi-billion-dollar package as part of efforts to modernize Taiwan’s defence capabilities and deter increasing pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Lai has reiterated that only the people of Taiwan can determine the island’s future.
Meanwhile, the opposition Kuomintang (KMT), which holds the majority in the legislature, supports defence spending in principle but opposes approving the budget without thorough scrutiny, rejecting what it calls “blank cheques.”
This political impasse has raised concerns in Taipei that delays could jeopardize Taiwan’s position in the global queue for defence procurement, especially for US-made weapons systems.
Defence Minister Wellington Koo addressed parliament on Monday, warning that the security threat to Taiwan is tangible. He cited recent Chinese warship activity near waters southwest of Taiwan’s Penghu islands as evidence of the ongoing risk.
Koo stressed that the issue is critical to Taiwan’s survival and underscored the urgency of passing the defence budget promptly.
The United States remains Taiwan’s most significant international supporter and primary supplier of arms. In December, Washington approved an $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, marking its largest ever for the island.
China has consistently condemned US arms sales to Taiwan, urging Washington to cease military support that Beijing claims undermines its sovereignty over the island.
