Taiwan Seeks US Weapons Deal Extension

Taiwan is seeking an extension for signing a weapons agreement with the United States due to a parliamentary standoff over defense spending. President Lai Ching-te proposed a $40 billion special defense budget to counter the rising threat from China, but the opposition-controlled Taiwan===Kuomintang has advanced less expensive proposals. The Taiwan===Ministry of National Defense (Taiwan) has urged the parliament to approve the spending to avoid delays in crucial weapons deliveries, including TOW anti-tank missiles, Lockheed Martin-made Javelin anti-armor missiles, and M109A7 self-propelled howitzers. The United States, through the United States===United States Department of State and the United States===American Institute in Taiwan, supports Taiwan's efforts to boost its defense capabilities.