TAIPEI (TVBS News) — U.S. lawmakers expressed "serious concern" on Thursday (Feb. 12) over Taiwan's potential failure to pass a crucial defense budget. According to Fox News, this bipartisan group, comprising 34 members, including Sen. Pete Ricketts, Sen. Chris Coons, Rep. Young Oak Kim (金映玉), and Rep. Ami Bera, urged Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's legislature, President Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) to support a robust multi-year defense budget to counter China's increasing military pressure.
The Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨) have blocked the NT$1.25 trillion (approximately US$39.8 billion) special defense budget proposal 10 times in the Legislative Yuan, drawing significant attention from U.S. political circles. Lawmakers emphasized in their letter that China's threat to Taiwan has never been more severe, highlighting Beijing's escalating military pressure and coercive actions.
The letter urged both the United States and Taiwan to take further steps to strengthen deterrence against the People's Republic of China. It also acknowledged delays in U.S. weapons deliveries to Taiwan and pledged to push for faster transfers of defensive capabilities.
The lawmakers also urged Taiwan to significantly increase its defense spending, warning that internal political stalemates could undermine deterrence against China. This development underscores the urgent need for Taiwan to navigate its internal politics effectively to bolster its defense posture amid growing regional tensions. (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.42)
