TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te’s push to ramp up military spending has hit a prolonged political stalemate, with opposition lawmakers blocking a proposed $40 billion defense package amid demands for concessions and greater oversight.
The plan, unveiled in November, would lift defense spending to more than 3% of GDP and fund new U.S. arms purchases, air and missile defenses, counter-drone systems and capabilities for asymmetric warfare. The government says the goal is to deter growing pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has intensified military activity around the island.
But Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party lost its parliamentary majority in 2024, and opposition parties now control the legislature. The plan has been blocked 10 times since early December, alongside the government’s 2026 general budget.
Opposition lawmakers from the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party say they support stronger defenses but want more details on planned purchases and accountability for delayed U.S. arms deliveries, including 66 F-16V fighter jets. They have also demanded that Lai appear in parliament to answer questions, a request the president has rejected.
Last week, the Taiwan People’s Party submitted a scaled-down $12.6 billion version of the bill for review, while the KMT is drafting an alternative that would allocate up to $28.4 billion specifically for U.S. weapons.
Lai warned the standoff risks delaying critical upgrades and sending the wrong signal to international partners. “We must continue to strengthen our national defense,” he said, urging lawmakers to review the full proposal.
The impasse has drawn criticism in Washington, where lawmakers back Taipei’s original plan. “Taiwan’s parliament should reconsider — especially with rising Chinese threats,” U.S. Senator Roger Wicker said.
Analysts warn the deadlock could drag on for months unless political pressure forces compromise. For now, Taiwan’s largest defense expansion in years remains stuck in parliament as regional tensions continue to rise.
