Taiwan’s President to Propose $40 Billion in Extra Defense Spending

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te holds a press conference on "Action Plan for Safeguarding Democratic Taiwan and National Security" at the Presidential Office Building in Taipei on November 26, 2025. Photo by I-HWA CHENG / AFP

By Joy Chiang

Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday his government will propose $40 billion in additional defense spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion.

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