US Senators Reinforce Support for Taiwan Defense Budget
Four US senators have wrapped up a high-level visit to Taiwan. During their two-day visit, they endorsed President Lai Ching-te's stalled US$40 billion special defense budget proposal and urged lawmakers to pass sufficient defense funding amid growing threats from China.
US Senators Reinforce Support for Taiwan
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US Senators Visit Taiwan
REPORTER:
Just a two-day trip. But these US senators are reinforcing bipartisan US support for Taiwan.
They met with lawmakers, private sector leaders and defense experts.
Niu Hsu-ting (LEGISLATOR, KMT):
There was a clear consensus that everyone would contribute their own wisdom. In a democratic system, compromise is inevitable. We find solutions that may not fully satisfy everyone but are still acceptable to all. So we’re aligning our efforts in that direction.
REPORTER:
The senators also emphasized support for President Lai Ching-te’s proposed $40 billion US dollar special defense budget, which has been stalled in the opposition-controlled legislature.
The group also visited drone and missile technology on display to showcase new US-Taiwan collaborations.
Jeanne Shaheen (US SENATOR):
A mix of American system and Taiwan’s own, that deterrence is the most important thing we can build on for a conflict that would be devastating for the region and the world. Taiwan has developed an innovation hub focused on drones and missile defense.
REPORTER:
In the delegation’s statement, the senators asked Taiwan’s lawmakers to “urgently” reach a consensus on the special defense budget.
They also welcomed Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen of the KMT’s recent calls for greater defense spending.
Wang Hung-jen (PROFESSOR, NATIONAL CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY):
Lu has proposed allocating around [US$25 billion to US$31 billion] which is the closest to what the US is looking for and closest to Lai’s US$40 billion proposal. So the amount needed for US arms purchases closely matches the range Lu put forward. This shows that Lu has communicated this with the US side.
REPORTER:
It all comes as US President Donald Trump prepares to visit Beijing in May, a trip these senators hope will work in Taiwan’s favor.
John Curtis (US SENATOR):
A strong relationship between the US and China, the more safe Taiwan is. If we have a bad relationship with China, it is much more likely for China to be aggressive towards Taiwan.
REPORTER:
The senators are now visiting Japan and South Korea as they aim to strengthen US alliances across the region.
Kris Ma and Lery Hiciano, for TaiwanPlus.
