US Senators Visit Taiwan: What This Means for Defense Budget and Support

Daniel Kim | 2026.03.28

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 NYT
 NYT
[Herald Economy = Reporter Kim Hae-sol]As Chinese military pressure on Taiwan intensifies, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators is traveling to Taipei to signal support and press Taiwan’s government to pass a stalled special defense budget, officials said.The Financial Times reported on March 28 that the Senate delegation, led by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and John Curtis (R-Utah), departed Washington on March 27 for Taiwan. The trip comes just ahead of President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China on April 14–15, adding political sensitivity to the timing.Taiwanese officials worry U.S. backing could be perceived as softening around the time of the China summit. The administration approved roughly US$11.1 billion in weapons sales last year and is pursuing an additional package of about US$13 billion, but has at times delayed notifying Congress as it navigates the diplomatic timetable with Beijing.The senators’ visit was finalized amid a legislative deadlock over a special national defense bill proposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party — NT$1.25 trillion in funding (approximately US$40 billion). Strong pro‑Taiwan voices in the United States have voiced frustration over the budget impasse and warned that failure to pass the bill could weaken presidential resolve.During the visit, the delegation plans to meet President Lai Ching‑te as well as leaders of the opposition Kuomintang to press the case for approving the defense appropriation. Before departure, Sen. Shaheen said she was traveling “to reaffirm our support and to discuss why these robust measures for Taiwan’s self‑defense matter.”Sen. Curtis emphasized the urgency of the vote, adding, “Taiwan’s consideration of President Lai’s budget is critical. Even if all we do is underscore that importance, that alone justifies the trip.”The bipartisan Senate delegation is making its first visit to Taiwan in seven months and will continue on to South Korea and Japan after completing its Taiwan schedule.
Daniel Kim

Daniel Kim

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