U.S. Urges Taiwan to Approve Comprehensive Defense Budget Amid Regional Security Concerns
Washington says advanced missile defense systems and drones are essential for Taiwan’s deterrence strategy as parliament debates $40 billion military package
The United States has urged Taiwan’s parliament to approve a comprehensive defense budget, emphasizing the urgent need for advanced military capabilities including integrated air and missile defense systems, drones, and other strategic assets.
Speaking to Taiwanese media, Raymond Greene, Washington’s top representative in Taipei, said passing the full defense package would send a strong signal internationally and ensure Taiwan obtains the capabilities it has requested to strengthen deterrence against growing regional threats.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te previously proposed an additional $40 billion in defense spending, aimed at funding both U.S.-supplied weapons and domestically produced military systems such as drones. However, progress on the proposal has stalled in parliament, where opposition lawmakers say they support stronger defense but require greater transparency before approving the full package.
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Greene noted that battlefield developments in both the Middle East and Ukraine have demonstrated the critical importance of missile defense systems and drones, warning that these assets are in exceptionally high demand worldwide.
Taiwan’s government has also cautioned that delays in approval could jeopardize Taipei’s position in the production and delivery queue for U.S. weapons.
The United States remains Taiwan’s primary security partner and arms supplier, having announced an $11 billion arms package for the island in December—the largest such package to date.
China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, has repeatedly condemned U.S. arms sales to Taipei and demanded that Washington halt military support for the island.
