In Taipei visit, US lawmakers urge Taiwan to pass stalled $40 billion defence budget

TAIPEI, March 30 – U.S. lawmakers visiting Taipei on Monday urged approval of President Lai Ching-te’s stalled $40 billion defence budget, warning further delays risk undermining the island’s ability to deter Chinese military pressure even as Washington accelerates arms sales and security support. The U.S. is democratically governed Taiwan’s most important international backer and arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. China claims Taiwan as its own territory over the island’s rejection. Lai’s proposed $40 billion in extra defence spending is currently stalled in the opposition-controlled parliament. U.S. Republican Senator John Curtis, who arrived in Taipei on Monday…