TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Multiple foreign government officials are concerned about the consequences resulting from the current political deadlock between the DPP and KMT parties, Nikkei Asia reported.
Officials who spoke with Nikkei Asia cautioned that some countries would reduce support for Taiwan if the current impasse continues to weaken efforts to strengthen defense and political stability.
With a combined majority control in the legislature, the KMT and TPP have challenged the DPP with bills that the ruling party proposed over the past year. Earlier this month, the opposition blocked President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget from being placed on the legislative agenda for a second time.
KMT and TPP lawmakers said they would only consider the budget if Lai appeared before the legislature to deliver a report on the proposal and answer questions. They argued that the budget lacks sufficient detail, relies on debt financing, and could force cuts to other government spending.
The opposition called for the impeachment of Lai on Thursday, accusing him of breaking constitutional norms by refusing to enforce amendments to the Act Governing the Allocation of Government Revenues and Expenditures.
One top government official from a G7 member country told Nikkei Asia that continued political divisions on Taiwan’s security would “give a convenient excuse to isolationists in Washington D.C. to stay away from a possible contingency and armed conflict over the [Taiwan] Strait." It would send a message that "Taiwan is not prepared for making all the efforts to protect herself," the official said.
Another official said political disunity on national security “puts the people of Taiwan at risk and creates significant instability in one of the most important economic and security partners, regionally, and globally." Criticizing the KMT’s concerns of angering Beijing, they added that “underinvestment in defense will weaken the conditions needed for dialogue, and invite more coordinated intimidation.”
A European official believed that the KMT sought to render Lai's administration ineffective and convince voters to back the opposition in the 2028 presidential election. "But this is a huge gamble by the KMT, especially less than a year before the local election in late 2026," the official said.
The official said that in many European countries, parties agree on the security threats they face. The points of contention are “how to address the threats and how to balance the security measures and freedom of speech and other rights."
Meanwhile, in Taiwan, there is no consensus on “whether there is a threat or what that threat is,” they said. “This is dangerous."
Taiwan officials recognize the potential security risks if this deadlock continues. Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said last week that the US could lose confidence in Taiwan’s will to defend itself if lawmakers fail to move the special defense budget forward.
He pointed out that Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, and other regional countries have all boosted defense spending and recognize China as a threat to regional stability. If the special budget is not approved, the US will doubt whether Taiwan is a reliable defense partner, he said.
On Wednesday, the US approved eight potential arms sales to Taiwan, including Taiwan Tactical Network and Tactical Assault Kits, Army AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter spare parts, M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, HIMARS systems, and anti-armor missiles.
