> Banks was one of a group of 37 bipartisan U.S. lawmakers who in February wrote to senior Taiwanese politicians expressing concern about parliament stalling defence spending plans.
I agree Taiwan needs to prepare for a Chinese invasion, but let’s be honest, these guys are urging them on because it is beneficial for the American industrial military complex
32
Radiant-Ad-31342 days ago
+6
Didn’t Taiwan say the weapon delivery delayed from last purchase plan?
6
mm6156572 days ago
+3
What would happen if Taiwan increased its defense budget but didn't buy US weapons? There are so many arms sellers in the world.
3
SoulBonfire2 days ago
+3
Taiwan would probably be able to buy weapons from non-US sources more quickly than from US who will be ramping up to resupply.
3
StandAloneComplexed2 days ago
+9
Maybe deliver what's been bought first before asking for more money?
The issue is not buying weapons, it is late delivery from the US. The arms sales backlog was [more than 20 billion](https://warontherocks.com/2025/03/taiwans-biggest-limitation-in-defense-isnt-spending-its-late-deliveries-from-u-s-defense-companies/) last year.
And looking at what happened with South Korea, everyone knows Asian partners aren't the priority and Taiwanese weapons might be redirected to a certain country in the middle east anyway.
9
shinjikun102 days ago
+10
US senator urges Taiwan parliament to pass stalled spending plan because the people who funded his campaign would make millions.
10
trippknightly2 days ago
+4
The irony of a US lawmaker telling Taiwan to get agreement on spending.
Taiwan is a great nation, BTW.
4
DuditsToo2 days ago
+7
Get your portfolio ready, did you?
7
InvestigatorOk93542 days ago
+8
Out of curiousity I pulled up this guy's portfolio: [https://www.quiverquant.com/congresstrading/politician/Jim%20Banks-B001299](https://www.quiverquant.com/congresstrading/politician/Jim%20Banks-B001299)
There are worse offenders, this guy has been trading Peloton (LOL) and Roblox (LMAO)
8
sxdram2 days ago
+2
Stirring shit up again 😅. How typical 🇺🇸
2
xin41112 days ago
-2
Most Taiwanese dont want spend much on millitary. Taiwanese care more about their real estate market, salary, etc. war is too far for them. And the price the US give Taiwan is double even triple of normal price, but those weapon usually lack several functions.
They also dont want to serve the millitary service. Its military service has been reduced from two years to four months after DPP take power. Taiwanese army still have strong KMT and Chinese remnants. This is also one of reasons DPP and pro-independence Taiwanese dont like their army. Although DPP push to increase defence spending plan, it always refuse to increase the salary of Taiwanese army.
Believe or not. Although most Taiwanese dont want to be Chinese, but they only hope American or Japanese fight for them. And as a rich economy, many Taiwanese have foreign passport. Like their current president, all his family hold American passport.
11 Comments