Defense is not a bargaining chipBy Defense is not a bargaining chip 陳清雲Negotiations over the special defense budget are still stalled in the Legislative Yuan, with proposals varying widely and amounts ranging from NT$380 billion to NT$1.25 trillion (US$11.9 billion to US$39.1 billion). However, for most of the public, the issue is actually quite simple — should Taiwan’s national security be treated as a political bargaining chip? National defense is not an option — it is a bottom line. Only by retaining military personnel can Taiwan’s national defense be sustained. National defense must no longer be stalled, arms procurement must not lie idle and the legislature must not continue to be consumed by internal conflict.

Source: Taipei Times April 01, 2026 16:13 UTC