# Gu Lixiong

Taiwan’s NT$1.25 Trillion Defence Bill Sparks Row Over Job Claims, US Arms and Transparency

A proposed NT$1.25 trillion special defence budget in Taiwan has sparked a domestic row after defence officials claimed it would generate NT$400 billion in output and 90,000 jobs, while critics say most spending will go to US arms purchases and demand greater transparency. The dispute draws in US pressure, opposition allegations of corruption, and Beijing’s condemnation, underscoring tensions between urgent rearmament needs and demands for legislative oversight.