Taiwan President says he ‘won't give up’ on defence spending after Parliament cuts
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has vowed to continue pushing for increased defense spending despite recent parliamentary budget cuts. The government aims to modernize its military with drones and asymmetric systems to better deter potential threats from China.
Why it matters
The ongoing tension between Taiwan's executive and legislative branches over defense funding has significant implications for regional security and US-Taiwan relations.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) he would “not give up” on increasing defence spending, after the island’s Opposition-majority Parliament last month passed just two-thirds of a $40 billion supplementary budget .
The article presents the government's perspective on defense needs while acknowledging the parliamentary opposition's role.
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