Speaking during a meeting in Taipei with Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te, Curtis praised the island’s recent progress in strengthening defense, societal preparedness, and energy security.
“Taiwan is making real progress,” Curtis said, adding that these efforts are recognized in Washington and supported by the US government. He emphasized that Taiwan’s stability and security remain important to the United States, noting that ties between the two sides are “growing stronger.”
Lai reiterated that “peace can only be guaranteed through strength” and highlighted that Taiwan’s defense budget is set to exceed 3% of GDP this year, with a target of 5% by 2030. He urged opposition parties—the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)—to approve the government’s full defense budget proposal without further delays.
Read more about this topic: Taiwan opposition leader to visit mainland China in April
The plan, submitted in late 2025 and backed by the US administration, spans 2026 to 2033 and totals NT$1.25 trillion (€34 billion). It aims to fund arms purchases and joint production programs with the US, focusing on air defense, anti-armor capabilities, and drone systems.
However, rival proposals from the opposition set significantly lower spending caps, reflecting ongoing disagreements over the scale and scope of the budget.
The deadlock comes amid rising military pressure from China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control.
