TAIPEI, Feb 13 (Reuters) – A bipartisan group of 37 U.S. lawmakers have written to senior Taiwanese politicians expressing concern over parliament blocking proposed defense spending, saying the threat posed by China has never been greater.
Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, last year proposed $40 billion in extra defense spending to counter China, which considers the island its own territory. But the opposition, which has a majority in parliament, has refused to revise the proposal and has instead put forward its own, less expensive proposals that would finance only the purchase of some of the US weapons that Lai wants.
The US letter, addressed to the speaker of Taiwan’s parliament Han Kuo-yu, the heads of the opposition parties the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People’s Party, as well as the caucus whip for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, said the US and Taiwan share a strong and enduring partnership.
“However, the threat posed by the People’s Republic of China against Taiwan has never been greater. Xi Jinping is focusing every element of the national power of the PRC to control Taiwan,” said the letter , issued on Thursday and referring to the president of China.
The United States should address the huge backlog in arms shipments to Taiwan, but Taiwan needs to step up as well, the letter said.
“We commend Taiwan for making important progress in strengthening its military readiness, reserve forces, and asymmetric defense capabilities,” he said.
“However, we fear that without significant increases in Taiwan’s defense spending at levels reflected in President Lai’s proposed special budget, this progress will be insufficient.”
Signatories of the letter included Senators Pete Ricketts and Chris Coons, senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Young Kim and Ami Bera, senior members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Several US lawmakers have already made public expressions of concern about the stalled budget.
There was no immediate response to the letter from the KMT or TPP.
Both parties say they support defense spending, but will not sign “blank checks” and that they have a duty to fully scrutinize all budget proposals.
The DPP said in a statement that it agreed with the letter and hoped that the recipients would read it “well”.
The delay in passing the spending risks a “split” in the joint defense line against China, Taiwan’s defense minister said on Wednesday, as Lai again urged parliament to approve the spending measure.
The United States is Taiwan’s most important international supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties.
The Trump administration has pressured its allies to increase defense spending, something Lai and his government have enthusiastically embraced.
China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China, but has been rebuffed, saying only the people of Taiwan can decide their future.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)