Overview
- Cheng Li‑wun met several U.S. senators and representatives this week to explain the Kuomintang’s pro‑dialogue approach and to respond to criticism from U.S. lawmakers.
- She told U.S. officials the KMT supports Taiwan’s defense and opposes permanent secession, saying dialogue with Beijing does not mean giving up military deterrence or democratic freedoms.
- Local Taiwanese reports say a planned meeting with senior U.S. National Security Council officials was downgraded and later canceled, a departure from past practice that drew attention in Washington.
- Taiwan’s legislature approved a smaller special defense package capped at about NT$780 billion after the Cabinet’s larger NT$1.25 trillion proposal, raising questions about procurement priorities and oversight.
- A roughly US$14 billion U.S. arms sale to Taiwan remains under presidential review, and some U.S. lawmakers warned that lower spending and pro‑engagement rhetoric could weaken deterrence and affect U.S. policy toward Beijing.