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Taiwan’s Lai Announces Record NT$1.1 Trillion 2027 Defense Budget

By Drooid · Oct 10, 2026, 10:29 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

President Lai Ching-te announced a record NT$1.1 trillion defence budget for 2027.
The budget equals US$34.5 billion and exceeds three percent of Taiwan’s GDP.
Lai said the spending aims to deter conflict, not provoke China.
China deployed 21 aircraft and seven navy ships near Taiwan, with thirteen crossing the median line.
U.S. President Donald Trump must approve US$14 billion weapons, including the Patriot air-defence system.

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Story summary

President Lai Ching-te announced a record NT$1.1 trillion defence budget for 2027.
The budget equals US$34.5 billion and exceeds three percent of Taiwan’s GDP.
Lai said the spending aims to deter conflict, not provoke China.
China deployed 21 aircraft and seven navy ships near Taiwan, with thirteen crossing the median line.
U.S. President Donald Trump must approve US$14 billion weapons, including the Patriot air-defence system.