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Visiting U.S. Senators Press Taiwan to Pass Stalled $40 Billion Defense Budget

The visit signals concern that delays could weaken deterrence against China by slowing pending U.S. arms deliveries.

Taiwan's National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) pose with Director of the American Institute in Taiwan Raymond Greene as they attend a press conference at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) clap during a visit to National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology in Taoyuan, Taiwan, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) speaks during a press conference at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei, Taiwan, March 30, 2026. REUTERS/Ann Wang
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Overview

  • The bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation, which met President Lai in Taipei on Monday, urged passage of the NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense budget.
  • Republican John Curtis publicly endorsed the plan, while Democrat Jeanne Shaheen warned that Chinese military activity increases the risk of a dangerous miscalculation.
  • The proposal remains stuck in the opposition-led legislature, even as lawmakers have authorized four U.S. arms deals worth about US$9 billion.
  • Reuters reports the U.S. is preparing a further package of roughly US$14 billion, and SCMP says Taiwan faces looming payment deadlines that the budget stalemate has left unresolved.
  • China’s foreign ministry condemned the congressional visit and repeated its demand that Washington stop official exchanges with Taipei.