Key facts
- Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te vowed to continue efforts to increase defense spending.
- Parliament approved only two-thirds of a $40 billion supplementary budget.
- Funds for domestically made drones and missiles were vetoed by parliament.
- Lai plans to pursue defense funding through separate legislation or supplementary budgets.
- The president aims to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stated on Tuesday that he would not abandon efforts to increase the island's defense spending, following a decision by the opposition-majority parliament to approve only two-thirds of a $40 billion supplementary budget last month. The parliament vetoed funds for domestically made drones and missiles, which Lai wants to bolster Taiwan's deterrence against China.
Lai indicated that the government would propose separate special legislation or utilize supplementary budgets and annual budget increases to ensure the smooth progression of national defense equipment and infrastructure projects. He aims to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030, up from approximately 3% currently, aligning with calls from the Trump administration for allies to enhance their military expenditures.
Speaking at a military base in New Taipei, Lai emphasized the need for Taiwan's military to refine combat training and leverage technology like drones in response to rapidly changing regional circumstances. He also visited key radar stations monitoring Chinese movements, acknowledging the critical role of servicemen and women in providing intelligence for the island's defense.
The top U.S. diplomat in Taipei recently advised Taiwan to "spend smarter" on its defenses and learn from drone warfare in Ukraine and the Middle East to maintain a military balance with China.