TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US could lose confidence in Taiwan’s will to defend itself if lawmakers fail to move a special NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.77 billion) budget forward, Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said Wednesday.
The opposition Kuomintang and Taiwan People’s Party have repeatedly used their majority at the Legislative Yuan to prevent the 2026–2033 spending plan from reaching the committee discussion stage, per CNA. Koo noted that other countries in the region are also increasing their defense expenditures.
Democratic Progressive Party lawmakers said they fear further delays could cause Taiwan to miss opportunities to procure new weapons systems.
Japan has raised its defense spending, and the Philippines, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand all recognize that China poses a threat to regional stability, Koo said. If the special budget fails to win approval, the US will question whether Taiwan stands with it in efforts to prevent a war, he added.
Koo also rejected concerns by legislators that the budget would lead to cuts for social care and education. He said spreading the expenses over eight years and relying on debt financing should allay such fears.
