KMT's Cheng discusses defense, energy issues with U.S. lawmakers

Washington, June 10 (CNA) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文) met with several U.S. senators and representatives in Washington on Wednesday, discussing Taiwan's defense budget, arms purchases and energy policy, among other issues.

Cheng met with Republican Sen. Steve Daines, Republican Reps. John Rose and Chuck Fleischmann, and Democratic Rep. Thomas Suozzi, according to the KMT.

In an earlier interview, Cheng said that one purpose of her visit was to explain to U.S. lawmakers the KMT's position on Taiwan's defense budget and arms purchases, as they had expressed concerns about those issues.

The KMT is not opposed to purchasing arms from the United States, she said, adding that the party takes such purchases seriously. As a result, KMT lawmakers prioritized the passage of Taiwan's defense budget for U.S. arms procurement, she said.

The party, however, wants defense spending to follow due process, maintain fiscal discipline, and avoid potential corruption, Cheng said.

● Legislature approves NT$8.8 billion 2026 defense procurement budget

In November 2025, Taiwan's Cabinet proposed a special defense budget of NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.4 billion) to be spent over eight years. After months of legislative review, lawmakers approved the budget in May 2026, with a spending cap of NT$780 billion.

On Wednesday, Cheng said that during her visit to the U.S., American lawmakers also raised questions about Taiwan's energy policy and nuclear power, with some of them expressing "frustration" over the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's anti-nuclear stance and "welcoming" the KMT's support for nuclear energy.

Cheng said she hopes Taiwan and the U.S. can deepen cooperation on technologies related to nuclear energy.

Taiwan's Cabinet said in March that any restart of nuclear power generation would depend on meeting requirements related to nuclear safety, nuclear waste management, and public consensus. The government also said it would continue to pursue energy transition policies and develop diverse green energy sources.

At the time, the Ministry of Economic Affairs also said that nuclear safety inspections would be completed as soon as possible, with relevant reports expected to be submitted to the Nuclear Safety Commission by the end of 2027.

Taiwanese media outlets had previously reported that Cheng would meet with U.S. National Security Council officials at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the White House during her current trip. However, journalists waiting outside the building on Wednesday saw no signs of Cheng or her delegation.

Victor Chin (秦日新), the KMT's representative to the U.S., said a meeting had been arranged, but he declined to provide further details.

Cheng and her delegation met Wednesday with Rep. Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss cross-strait relations, U.S.-Taiwan ties and defense issues, according to Chin.

● KMT Chairperson Cheng seeking to boost Taiwan-Silicon Valley ties