A group of bipartisan US lawmakers has called on Taiwan to increase its defense spending significantly. They warned that only partially funding a supplementary defense budget could weaken efforts to deter Chinese aggression. The lawmakers, including Senators Jim Risch, Pete Ricketts, and Chris Coons, emphasized the importance of enhancing Taiwan’s defensive capabilities.
In a joint letter to Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan leadership, the lawmakers expressed concerns about the ongoing deliberations to only partially fund the budget request. They highlighted the enduring partnership between the United States and Taiwan, based on shared democratic values and a commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Referring to the Taiwan Relations Act, the lawmakers reaffirmed the US commitment to Taiwan’s security and its ability to defend against coercion. They pointed out the increasing threat posed by China, with President Xi Jinping intensifying efforts to control Taiwan through various aggressive actions.
The lawmakers urged both the US and Taiwan to strengthen their cooperation to deter Chinese aggression effectively. They emphasized the need for the US to address the backlog in weapons deliveries to Taiwan and for Taiwan to increase its defense spending to adequately address the growing threats.
Acknowledging the complexities of government funding debates, the lawmakers stressed the importance of funding militaries at levels that address critical threats. They called for robust multi-year defense budgets to signal Taiwan’s commitment to defending itself.
The appeal from US lawmakers comes amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait and growing concerns in Washington over China’s military modernization and pressure tactics against Taipei.
