Taiwan’s president has announced a special $40 billion budget for arms purchases, including to build an air defense system with high-level detection and interception capabilities.

Currently, Taiwan has set an increase in its defense budget to 3.3% of its GDP for 2026, allocating $949.5 billion Taiwan dollars ($31.18 billion). U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Taiwan raise its defense spending to as much as 10% of GDP, a proportion well above what the U.S. or any of its major allies spend.

Lai had previewed the announcement in an op-ed for The Washington Post on Wednesday, saying the special budget would be used to purchase arms from the U.S. He told reporters Wednesday, however, that the budget has nothing to do with the government’s tariff negotiations with the U.S.

  • UltraGiGaGigantic@lemmy.mlEnglish
    31·
    10 hours ago

    No one should rule. The working class should discard the artifical borders dividing us against ourselves.

    • Grapho@lemmy.ml
      2·
      10 hours ago

      Eventually, sure. But we’re not at a place politically where that is feasible or even desirable.