Taiwan’s KMT faces internal battle over defense budget and US ties

Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang (KMT) is grappling with sharp internal divisions over its defense spending stance and relationship with Washington. The party is split over a proposed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defense package aimed at enhancing Taiwan's resilience and securing advanced weaponry, largely sourced from the United States. A faction of the KMT, including Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen and former chairman Eric Chu, appears to favor higher spending, signaling alignment with U