Overview
- More than 30 bipartisan U.S. senators and representatives urged Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to approve President Lai Ching-te’s full special defense budget.
- The letter, addressed to Speaker Han Kuo-yu and party leaders, was led by Pete Ricketts, Chris Coons and Young Kim and warned the PRC threat “has never been greater.”
- Taiwan’s NT$1.25 trillion (about US$39.5–40 billion) plan for 2026–2033 remains stalled as opposition parties push smaller oversight-focused alternatives, including a TPP proposal capping spending at NT$400 billion with yearly allocations.
- The U.S. lawmakers cited large PLA drills in October 2024, April 2025 and December 2025 as signs of growing preparations for a blockade or invasion and called on Taiwan to “step up” as Washington works through weapons delivery backlogs.
- President Lai, in a Lunar New Year message recorded at a key radar station, vowed to strengthen defense, while Taipei and Washington signed a trade deal featuring tariff caps and preferential treatment for Taiwanese semiconductors that still needs parliamentary approval.