Overview
- The Taiwan People’s Party agreed to send the executive’s NT$1.25 trillion special defense proposal to committee for joint review, with the Legislative Yuan due to resume on Feb. 24.
- The Kuomintang said it will not accept the government’s plan in full, and lawmakers will also consider a pared-back alternative capped at roughly US$12.6–12.7 billion.
- President Lai urged quick passage and, in an AFP interview, warned that Japan, the Philippines and other countries could face greater risk if China seized Taiwan, while expressing confidence the budget will pass.
- Defense Minister Wellington Koo cautioned that failure to approve the eight‑year package would create a “breach” in Indo‑Pacific deterrence; the plan targets air defense, anti‑armor, drones and C5ISR capabilities with U.S. partners.
- Beijing denounced Lai as a “war instigator,” and U.S. officials and lawmakers—including a new bipartisan letter from 34 members of Congress—pressed Taipei to fund the full package as March U.S. sales and payment deadlines approach.