Taiwan's leader says increasing defence spending to 'deter war' — SkimNews
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- Lai Ching-te said the record NT$1.1 trillion ($34.5 billion) defence budget for 2027 — more than 3% of GDP — aims to "deter war" rather than "provoke," in his National Day address in Taipei.
- Lai welcomed US-China talks but insisted "there must be respect for the right of the people of Taiwan to exist," accusing China of using military and grey-zone activities to "alter the status quo across the Taiwan Strait."
- Taiwan is awaiting President Trump's signature on $14 billion in US weapons, including Patriot air defence systems, after Trump's May remarks that arms sales could be a bargaining chip with Beijing alarmed Taipei.
- Han Kuo-yu, the KMT parliamentary speaker who favours closer ties with Beijing, said "U.S. support is extremely important" but stressed historical and cultural links with China, adding that most Taiwanese "do not want war."
- Tao Yi-feng, a political scientist at National Taiwan University, called Lai's address "relatively moderate" and unlikely to draw "overt reaction from Beijing."
Why it matters: Defence spending above 3% of GDP puts real money behind Lai's deterrence message, but $14 billion in pending US arms — including Patriot air defence systems — still hinges on Trump's signature after his May suggestion that Taiwan weapons could be traded for a deal with Beijing.
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