Washington: The United States government announced its support for Taiwan's decision to allocate US$40 billion towards a special defense budget aimed at enhancing its self-defense capabilities. The announcement came in response to President Lai Ching-te's substantial increase in defense investment.
According to Focus Taiwan, a U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed approval of Taiwan's new defense budget, emphasizing alignment with the Taiwan Relations Act and the longstanding commitment of over 45 years across multiple U.S. administrations. The spokesperson highlighted the importance of Taiwan's acquisition of critical defense capabilities in relation to the perceived threat.
Further, the spokesperson acknowledged Taiwan's recent commitments under the Lai administration to raise defense spending to a minimum of 3 percent of GDP by 2026 and 5 percent by 2030. These commitments are seen as a demonstration of Taiwan's resolve to bolster its self-defense measures.
In addition to the State Department's endorsement, two senior U.S. Congress members praised President Lai's defense expenditure plans. Republican Senator Tom Cotton, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, expressed approval of the budget increase as a significant step toward ensuring regional peace and stability. Likewise, Democratic Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, a key figure in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commended the plan for its potential to enhance deterrence and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
President Lai initially introduced his proposal through an op-ed in the Washington Post, followed by a formal announcement at a press conference in Taipei. This initiative aligns with prior calls from the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump for increased defense spending by Washington's partners, including Taiwan.
The Ministry of National Defense outlined that the proposed US$40 billion supplementary defense budget is slated for allocation over an eight-year span from 2026 to 2033.