At a congressional hearing on April 21, U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo warned that Taiwan must commit sufficient funding to its own defense. He stressed that U.S. support cannot exceed Taiwan’s own commitment and urged lawmakers to pass a long-delayed defense budget.
Paparo emphasized that Taiwan’s defense spending is essential despite U.S. assistance under the Taiwan Relations Act, arguing that without adequate investment, security cannot be sustained. He added that concrete budget action—rather than rhetoric—will demonstrate Taiwan’s commitment to self-defense.
The remarks come amid political gridlock in Taiwan, where a proposed $40 billion, eight-year defense budget by President Lai Ching-te has been stalled in a legislature dominated by the opposition Kuomintang. The party has recently drawn attention for closer engagement with Beijing, including Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun’s visit to mainland China in April and her meeting with Xi Jinping.
The stalled budget has attracted strong concern in Washington, with bipartisan U.S. lawmakers urging Taiwan to act quickly and signaling potential new arms sales of up to $14 billion.
Source: Epoch Times, Top of Form
April 22, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/4/22/n14746992.htm