Premier Cho Addresses Concerns Over Potential Trump Halt to Arms Sales, Vows to Maintain Communication

(CNA, Taipei, June 20, by reporter Chen Chun-hua) Legislators are concerned about the impact on Taiwan's combat capabilities if former U.S. President Donald Trump does not approve a second batch of arms sales. Premier Cho Jung-tai said today that he "dares not imagine 'what if it doesn't happen' right now," and can only push forward with all his might and maintain communication and coordination with the United States. The Executive Yuan held an extra meeting this morning and passed the "Special Budget Proposal for the Central Government's Plan to Protect National Security and Strengthen Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities for FY2026." For the first batch of military procurement from the U.S., the budget is compiled annually, with a total estimated funding requirement of about NT$294.99098 billion. NT$8.8 billion has been allocated for this year and sent to the Legislative Yuan for review. The Legislative Yuan invited Premier Cho, Director-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics Chen Shu-tzu, Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo, and other relevant ministry heads this afternoon to report on the preparation of the special budget for the first batch of Letters of Offer and Acceptance and for questioning. Taiwan People's Party Legislator Hung Yu-hsiang stated during questioning that in the special military procurement ordinance passed by the Legislative Yuan, the budget cap for the first batch of LOAs is NT$300 billion, and for the second batch, it is NT$480 billion. "But now Trump is sitting on it in his office," and it's uncertain or he might even refuse to sell, what would be the impact on Taiwan's combat strength. In response, Premier Cho said that the Executive Yuan had sent the special ordinance last November, at which time they were striving for the most favorable timing for Taiwan. The process requires the U.S. to be willing to sell, Taiwan to budget for it, and only after the U.S. notifies Congress does it become public and the LOA is issued. The process is currently at this stage. If the Legislative Yuan had reviewed and passed the bill quickly last November, perhaps the subsequent procedures would be underway by now. Premier Cho stated that although it is late now, the Ministry of National Defense is still actively lobbying the U.S. side, just as they fought for the HIMARS multiple rocket launcher system to the very end. He said the Ministry of National Defense and the armed forces do not want to assume "what if it doesn't happen"; they dare not imagine it now and can only push forward with all their might, maintain communication and coordination with the U.S., and both sides have established project offices. Additionally, Hung Yu-hsiang pointed out that in Donald Trump's eyes, Taiwan has stolen its chips, and the contract for Taiwan to buy weapons from the U.S. has become a bargaining chip for Trump in negotiations with China. Trump also refers to President Lai Ching-te not as president but as "the one who governs Taiwan." This made him very angry, "On what grounds does he call me a thief." Premier Cho said, "As you should know, legislator, this is also the reality of international politics, but we must know in our hearts that we are a sovereign and independent nation." Regarding the chip issue, Taiwan from its own initiative