Taipei: A group of United States lawmakers visiting Taiwan has called on the island’s leaders to quickly approve a long delayed defence budget worth 40 billion dollars, warning that further delays could weaken its ability to respond to growing pressure from China.
The delegation, led by Senator John Curtis, met senior officials in Taipei and stressed the need for urgent action to strengthen Taiwan’s military preparedness. The lawmakers said the proposed funding is important to help Taiwan defend itself at a time when security concerns in the region are increasing.
Taiwan’s government, under President Lai Ching te, has been pushing for the budget to improve defence systems and boost readiness. However, the proposal has been stalled in parliament where opposition parties hold a majority. Critics have questioned the size of the spending and asked for more clarity on how the money will be used.
Despite the political deadlock, the United States continues to show strong support for Taiwan. Washington has already approved billions of dollars in arms sales and is working to speed up the delivery of military equipment. Officials say this reflects the urgency of the situation as tensions in the region continue to rise.
China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has increased military activities near the island in recent months. Taiwan’s government says these actions highlight the need for stronger defence capabilities.
The delay in passing the budget has raised concerns among US officials, who believe that Taiwan must act quickly to maintain a credible defence posture. They also see Taiwan’s preparedness as important for stability in the wider Indo Pacific region.
As debate continues in parliament, the situation shows the challenge Taiwan faces in balancing domestic political differences with the need to respond to external threats.