Taiwan’s $40 billion defence plan stalled by domestic political deadlock

A political quagmire in Taiwan has stalled President Lai Ching-te’s proposal to spend $40 billion over eight years on military equipment, as opposition lawmakers who control the legislature have blocked the plan from moving forward without concessions. The impasse has grown out of budgetary and legal disputes between Mr.

Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Nationalist Party. Both sides have used hardball tactics and accused each other of acting unlawfully: the premier refused to sign a law passed by the opposition that would shift some tax revenues to local administrations, and opposition lawmakers called that move unconstitutional and have moved to impeach him.

The standoff reflects a broader partisan divide over ties with the United States and China. Mr. Lai has pledged to lift military and security outlays to more than 3 percent of Taiwan’s economy this year and argues that stronger defence and deeper U.S. ties are needed; the Nationalist Party favours expanded ties with Beijing and has pressed for more public disclosure and criticised delays in U.S.

weapons deliveries, saying, "We’ve paid up, but the weapons are nowhere to be seen." The DPP says the opposition is trying to paralyse the administration and has twice rejected its constitutional court nominees. Compromise remains possible: the government gave lawmakers a private briefing and released more information, and the U.S.

Key Topics

World, Lai Ching-te, Taiwan, Nationalist Party, Democratic Progressive Party, Defense Spending