US urges legislature to pass defense billARMS PROCUREMENT: A KMT proposal slashing the budget to NT$380 billion from the Cabinet’s NT$1.25 trillion could cast doubt on Taiwan’s self-defense commitmentStaff writer, with CNAThe US government on Sunday called on Taiwanese lawmakers across party lines to pass a special defense budget bill that would finance Taiwan’s planned purchases of US weapon systems for self-defense. “We encourage all parties in Taiwan’s legislature to work through political differences and quickly pass a special defense budget that demonstrates Taiwan’s commitment to its self-defense by funding the acquisition of critical defense capabilities,” an unnamed US Department of State spokesperson said. Photo: ReutersThe state department was responding to a Central News Agency question on whether Washington would support a version of the special defense budget bill proposed by the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), if it is passed in the legislature. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) on Friday said that the KMT’s version of the special defense budget could derail the procurement of five weapons systems approved by Washington for sale to Taiwan. Commenting on the KMT’s proposed budget, former KMT legislator Jason Hsu (許毓仁) said there are problems in terms of feasibility, technical implementation and legislative practice.

Source: Taipei Times March 09, 2026 16:27 UTC