Washington urges legislature to pass defense budgetStaff writer, with CNAThe US government yesterday called on Taiwanese lawmakers 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. The department was responding to a question on whether the US would support a version of the special defense budget bill proposed by the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), if it is passed in the legislature. Last week, the KMT proposed a special defense budget of NT$350 billion (US$11.04 billion) to fund eight weapons sales approved by the US in December. The KMT and DPP versions of the special defense budget bill, along with a NT$400 billion proposal put forth by the TPP, advanced to the committee stage in the legislature on Friday.

Source: Taipei Times March 09, 2026 12:30 UTC