Story perspectives

U.S. Ambassador Urges Bipartisan Support for Taiwan Defense Budget

3/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Raymond Greene, the U.S. de facto ambassador to Taiwan, urged bipartisan support for a defense budget to fund U.S. weapons.
Speaking at an AmCham event, he reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Taiwan's self-defense and urged dialogue and deterrence.
He cited U.S. President Donald Trump's call for increased defense spending among allies, including Taiwan.
Lawmakers negotiate three budget proposals, including NT$1.25 trillion by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for U.S. and domestic systems.

History

Historical Context

In 2018, President Trump proposed a $716 billion defense budget, reflecting a significant increase in military spending aimed at countering rising tensions with China, particularly regarding Taiwan. This budget request followed a broader trend of escalating defense expenditures since the Cold War, where U.S. military spending has consistently outpaced that of other nations, accounting for approximately 36% of global arms spending.

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Story summary

Raymond Greene, the U.S. de facto ambassador to Taiwan, urged bipartisan support for a defense budget to fund U.S. weapons.
Speaking at an AmCham event, he reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Taiwan's self-defense and urged dialogue and deterrence.
He cited U.S. President Donald Trump's call for increased defense spending among allies, including Taiwan.
Lawmakers negotiate three budget proposals, including NT$1.25 trillion by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for U.S. and domestic systems.

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