A bipartisan group of 37 U.S. lawmakers has stepped up pressure on Taiwan's parliament to approve stalled defense spending, warning that China's threat has never been greater. The letter addressed to Speaker Han Kuo-yu and party leaders expresses concern about Taiwan's $40 billion defense proposal remaining unreviewed.

President Lai Ching-te proposed the additional spending last year to counter China, which views Taiwan as its territory. The opposition, holding a parliamentary majority, has refused to review this plan while advancing less expensive alternatives. U.S. lawmakers fear this progress will be insufficient without the full budget.

The delay risks a "rupture" in joint defense against China, Taiwan's defense minister warned, while both opposition parties claim support for defense spending but reject "blank cheques." The Trump administration has pressed allies to increase defense investment, something Lai's government embraced despite China never renouncing force to take control of Taiwan.