Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai has sharply criticized opposition lawmakers for slashing the government’s budget, particularly a significant reduction in funding for key military projects, including a high-profile submarine program, Bloomberg reports.
Cho warned that these actions are jeopardizing the island’s defense capabilities and sending a worrying signal to the world.
The opposition, led by the Kuomintang (KMT), finalized a record NT$207.5 billion ($6.3 billion) cut from the overall government budget, according to the semi-official Central News Agency. Crucially, they stipulated that funding for several crucial defense initiatives, such as the submarine project and drone development, will be contingent on passing legislative reviews.
The move comes at a time when Taiwan had planned to spend a record amount on defense to deter potential Chinese aggression. While the exact amount cut from the defense budget was not immediately clear, the move has drawn strong condemnation from the ruling party.
The KMT contends that the budget changes are necessary to ensure funds are used responsibly. However, the government sees these actions as politically motivated and harmful to national security. Premier Cho has held three briefings since last Thursday to denounce the opposition’s actions, at one point stating, “Isn’t this paralyzing the country? Isn’t this destroying the government?”
The opposition’s majority in the legislature, secured a year ago, allows them to easily push through changes to laws and spending plans. Prior to this, they attempted to enact legal amendments framed as much-needed reforms. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) argues that the amendments were designed to undermine President Lai Ching-te’s ability to govern, in the face of ongoing US-China tensions centered around Taiwan.
While the Constitutional Court recently rejected some of those legislative power expansions, handing Lai a victory, the budget cuts highlight the continued political maneuvering in Taiwan.
President Lai, speaking in Taitung on Tuesday, also emphasized the importance of cross-party support for Taiwan’s defense. He further alluded to a “new international situation,” seemingly referencing the potential return of Donald Trump to the US presidency, and his past suggestions that Taiwan “should pay” for US protection.
Taiwan’s submarine project, which saw the unveiling of a prototype in the fall of 2023, has been a point of pride, despite being undertaken with secretive foreign assistance. It comes at a critical time as China continues to increase its military activity around Taiwan, aiming to intimidate President Lai’s government, which Beijing views as “secessionist”.
