The U.S. government praised Taiwan's opposition-controlled parliament after it approved US$25 billion [1] in extra defense spending on Friday, Dec. 11, 2025.

This funding is intended to bolster Taiwan's ability to deter and defend against possible aggression from China. The U.S. views the budget as a positive step toward regional stability, though officials said the move alone is not sufficient if other critical military projects remain stalled.

A top U.S. diplomat said the budget is a welcome development. However, the diplomat also said that delays to other defense projects could weaken Taiwan's overall defenses against China [1]. The U.S. has previously pressed the Taiwanese parliament to pass necessary funding to ensure the island can maintain a credible deterrent.

There are varying reports regarding the total scale of Taiwan's military financial commitments. While the parliament approved US$25 billion [1] in extra spending, other reports indicate Taiwan will allocate US$40 billion [2] toward U.S. weapons and air-defense systems. Additionally, some sources state the total defense budget nearing approval is NT$1.25 trillion, which is approximately US$38 billion [3].

The approved funds are expected to support the procurement of advanced weaponry, and the expansion of defensive infrastructure. The U.S. continues to emphasize that timely procurement is essential to counter the evolving military capabilities of the Chinese mainland.

The coordination between Taipei and Washington remains focused on ensuring that Taiwan possesses the necessary hardware and readiness to avoid conflict through strength. The U.S. government said that consistent investment in defense is the most effective way to preserve the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

“The U.S. praised Taiwan's newly approved US$25 billion defence budget.”

The approval of this budget reflects a critical alignment between Taiwan's legislative branch and U.S. strategic goals to fortify the island's defenses. However, the discrepancy in reported figures—ranging from US$25 billion in extra spending to a total budget of roughly US$38 billion—suggests a complex layering of special funds and general appropriations. The U.S. warning regarding 'delays' indicates that the budget's passage is only one part of a broader requirement for rapid modernization to keep pace with Chinese military advancements.