US House Approves US$500 Million in Military Aid for Taiwan
The US House of Representatives has passed a 2027 appropriations bill that includes US$500 million in military assistance for Taiwan, along with funding for allies and measures to counter China. In related news, former US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns has criticized President Trump's attitude on arms sales to Taiwan.
US Lawmakers Advance Military Aid for Taiwan
REPORTER:
US lawmakers have advanced a national security budget that includes key provisions for Taiwan.
Tom Cole (US REPRESENTATIVE):
The measure stands firmly with our friends while drawing a clear line against our adversaries. It reinforces support for key allies – like Israel and Taiwan – and directly counters threats from Communist China and other regimes that challenge our interests and principles.
REPORTER:
US Representative Tom Cole was speaking after the House of Representatives passed a 2027 appropriations bill which provides funding for the US’s allies and to counter China. The package includes 500 million US dollars in military assistance for Taiwan. The bill still needs to be passed by the Senate and signed by the president. Separately on Wednesday, a former US ambassador to China criticized US President Donald Trump’s attitude towards arms sales to Taiwan.
Nicholas Burns (FMR. US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA):
President Trump is pulling far too many punches, and I think he’s been very weak, specifically in Taiwan where he’s publicly equivocating on whether or not we should support them with arms sales.
REPORTER:
That was Nicholas Burns, speaking at a defense forum in Colorado.
