US lawmakers step up pressure on Taiwan parliament to approve defence spending
TAIPEI, Feb 13 (Reuters) – A bipartisan group of 37 U.S. lawmakers wrote a letter to senior Taiwan politicians expressing concern about parliament’s proposed defense spending halt, saying “the threat posed by China has never been greater.”
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te proposed $40 billion in extra defense spending last year against China, which sees the island as its own territory. But the opposition, which has a majority in parliament, refused to review the proposal and instead put forward its cheaper proposals, which only financed the purchase of some US weapons that Lai wanted.
The US letter, sent to Taiwanese parliament speaker Han Kuo-yu, the heads of opposition parties Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party, and a board member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, stated that the US and Taiwan share a strong and enduring partnership.
“However, the threat posed by the People’s Republic of China to Taiwan has never been greater. Xi Jinping is focusing every element of the PRC’s national power on controlling Taiwan,” the letter, published on Thursday and referring to the Chinese president, said.
The letter stated that the United States should eliminate the large backlog in arms deliveries to Taiwan, but Taiwan should also take steps.
“We commend Taiwan for the significant progress it has made in strengthening its military preparedness, reserve forces and asymmetric defense capabilities,” the statement said.
“Yet we fear that this progress will fall short without significant increases in Taiwan’s defense spending at levels reflected in President Lai’s proposed special budget.”
Signatories of the letter include Senators Pete Ricketts and Chris Coons, ranking members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Young Kim and Ami Bera, ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Many U.S. lawmakers have publicly expressed concerns about the stalled budget.
There was no immediate response to the letter from the KMT or TPP.
Both sides say they support defense spending but will not sign a “blank check” and have a duty to fully review all budget proposals.
In a statement, the DPP said it accepted the letter and hoped recipients would read it “from cover to cover”.
Taiwan’s defense minister said on Wednesday that a delay in approving spending risked a “rupture” in the common line of defense against China, and Lai again called on parliament to approve the spending measure.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of official diplomatic ties.
The Trump administration has pressured allies to increase defense spending, something Lai and his government have enthusiastically embraced.
China has never stopped using force to control Taiwan. Lai repeatedly offered to meet with China but was rejected, saying only the Taiwanese people could decide their own future.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
