TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislator Chung Chia-pin (鍾佳濱) of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) expressed concern on Friday (Jan. 23) over the failure to pass the eight-year NT$1.25 trillion (around US$39.6 billion) defense plan proposed by the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet. Chung emphasized the need for a national consensus and bipartisan support for the defense special act. The budget has faced repeated opposition in Taiwan's parliament.
The Special Act on Procurement for Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Force Plan (強化防衛韌性及不對稱戰力計畫採購特別條例), the special defense budget drafted by the Executive Yuan, has been obstructed by opposition parties in the Legislative Yuan (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, several times. Chung noted that the U.S. has urged countries to bear their own defense budgets, with close consultations ongoing between the U.S. and Taiwan regarding advanced weapon supplies.
The Taiwan People's Party (TPP, 民眾黨), a smaller opposition party, plans to propose its own version of the special act. In response, Chung hopes the party will clarify any issues related to the alleged theft or leakage of defense secrets to prevent hindering the bill's review process. Chung reiterated that Taiwan's security demands collective effort, echoing the U.S. reminder to all democratic allies that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Raymond F. Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), highlighted the pragmatic approach adopted under U.S. President Donald Trump's leadership. U.S. policies are shifting toward proactive diplomacy and deterrence rather than isolationism. Greene's remarks come amid ongoing discussions between Washington and Taipei on defense cooperation and advanced weapon supplies. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.6)