U.S. senators back Taiwan defense budget, press for delayed arms sales

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US senators back Taiwan defense

Highlights

U.S. senators called for advancement of $14 billion in delayed U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, citing national and regional security implications.
Lawmakers endorsed Taiwan's cross-party push for a $25 billion special defense budget, urging further investment in domestic defense production for self-defense.
Senators said continued U.S. defensive support for Taiwan deters intensifying Chinese military pressure and warned a Taiwan Strait conflict would severely impact global security and the economy.

Taiwan talks reinforce security and trade agenda

As stated in a press release from the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Tammy Duckworth, Brian Schatz, Jacky Rosen, Jeff Merkley, Andy Kim and Elissa Slotkin issue the statement after meeting Taiwan Legislative Yuan President Han Kuo-Yu and lawmakers from the Kuomintang, Democratic Progressive Party and Taiwan People’s Party.

The senators say the U.S.-Taiwan relationship is grounded in shared democratic values and a common commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. They reiterate support for maintaining close ties with Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, including providing arms for self-defense and supporting deterrence against what they describe as growing coercion from the People’s Republic of China.

They also welcome what they call Taiwan’s historic investments in the American economy, saying those commitments will support high-paying U.S. jobs and strengthen the technology sector. The group adds that Congress should continue advancing legislation to address double taxation and provide relief for businesses operating between the U.S. and Taiwan.

Pressure grows over defense funding and regional risk

The senators say they are encouraged by cross-party efforts in Taiwan’s legislature to advance a $25 billion special defense budget aimed at strengthening the island’s self-defense capabilities, including through defensive arms provided by the U.S. They also urge further investment in Taiwan’s domestic defense production, framing that spending as central to the island’s broader security posture.

The statement also presses the Trump administration to move ahead without further delay on $14 billion in U.S. arms sales to Taiwan that Congress approved more than six months ago. The lawmakers say those sales are important not only for Taiwan’s security and regional stability, but also for America’s economic and national security.

The senators argue that China continues to intensify pressure on Taiwan through daily grey-zone activity, incursions across the median line and military exercises. They warn that any conflict across the Taiwan Strait would have severe consequences for global security and the world economy, and say continued U.S. defensive support for Taiwan remains a key deterrent.

Our earlier coverage of the House Appropriations Committee’s FY2027 Defense Appropriations Act approval detailed how lawmakers set $1.072 trillion in discretionary defense funding, prioritizing weapons procurement, defense innovation, and military pay increases. We also outlined major allocations for munitions, hypersonics, AI, and industrial capacity—spending themes that underpin Washington’s broader deterrence posture and partner support amid rising regional risks.

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