The new draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 released by the U.S. Congress is sincerely appreciated by the government and people of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Dec. 8.
The newest negotiated version between the Senate and House of Representatives includes several provisions to help strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities and resilience, deepen Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, and support Taiwan’s international participation, the MOFA said. According to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, the draft enhances U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said in response that the bill demonstrates the consensus between the executive and legislative branches of U.S. government to strengthen Taiwan’s security. It followed the National Security Strategy released earlier this month, which emphasized Taiwan’s key position in geopolitics and asserted that the U.S. will work with its allies and partners to ensure cross-strait security, he added.
Taiwan will continue to cooperate with the U.S. on security, the MOFA said, adding that the government’s ongoing approach is that only strength can bring peace. The ministry noted that President Lai Ching-te’s announcement of a special defense budget of NT$1,250 billion (US$40 billion) to strengthen self-defense capabilities and maintain cross-strait and regional peace and stability is in line with this approach.
After the bill is passed by the Congress, it will be sent to U.S. President Donald Trump, the MOFA said. The ministry will continue to pay attention to the progress and maintain close communication with the U.S., it added. (YCH-E)
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The newest negotiated version between the Senate and House of Representatives includes several provisions to help strengthen Taiwan’s defense capabilities and resilience, deepen Taiwan-U.S. security cooperation, and support Taiwan’s international participation, the MOFA said. According to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, the draft enhances U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan’s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said in response that the bill demonstrates the consensus between the executive and legislative branches of U.S. government to strengthen Taiwan’s security. It followed the National Security Strategy released earlier this month, which emphasized Taiwan’s key position in geopolitics and asserted that the U.S. will work with its allies and partners to ensure cross-strait security, he added.
Taiwan will continue to cooperate with the U.S. on security, the MOFA said, adding that the government’s ongoing approach is that only strength can bring peace. The ministry noted that President Lai Ching-te’s announcement of a special defense budget of NT$1,250 billion (US$40 billion) to strengthen self-defense capabilities and maintain cross-strait and regional peace and stability is in line with this approach.
After the bill is passed by the Congress, it will be sent to U.S. President Donald Trump, the MOFA said. The ministry will continue to pay attention to the progress and maintain close communication with the U.S., it added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
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