Taipei: The opposition Taiwan People's Party (TPP) has announced its intention to propose a revised special defense budget, as declared by TPP Chairman Huang Kuo-chang. This announcement comes on the heels of Huang's return from a series of meetings with American officials in Washington, D.C.

According to Focus Taiwan, Huang addressed the media at TPP headquarters after arriving back in Taiwan. During his visit to Washington, he engaged with U.S. trade, defense, and State Department officials. The discussions highlighted the TPP's concerns regarding the Taiwan government's proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.5 billion) special defense budget, specifically the ambiguity surrounding its expenditure plans.

A special budget in Taiwan refers to funds outside the central government's general budget, which already includes defense spending, and is financed through debt issuance. Huang emphasized to U.S. officials that the legislature of a democratic nation like Taiwan should not approve a budget with unspecified spending details, a concern that he claims was understood and supported by the U.S.

Huang pointed out that a significant portion of the proposed NT$1.25 trillion budget would not be directed towards U.S. arms purchases. This special defense budget, approved by Taiwan's Cabinet on November 27, aims to fund weapons procurement and joint development programs with the U.S. from 2026 to 2033.

The TPP, along with the main opposition party Kuomintang, has successfully blocked consideration of the budget bill in the Legislature on six occasions. Huang's opposition to the budget has intensified following his U.S. visit, maintaining that while Taiwan's defense needs strengthening, the budget should not be squandered or exploited by arms dealers or intermediaries.

Huang stated that the TPP will await a confidential legislative committee briefing on the special budget by the Ministry of National Defense (MND) next week, after which they will propose an alternative bill. When questioned about whether the TPP's version of the budget would be smaller and if it had U.S. backing, Huang clarified that U.S. consent is unnecessary as both countries have their independent stances. The size of the TPP's budget proposal will depend on the insights from the MND's report.

Source: Focus Taiwan