Taiwan's government finally passed its 2026 budget, and President Lai Ching-te is pushing back at lawmakers who dragged the process out for nearly a year.

• Parliament passed the roughly NT$3 trillion budget only on August 14, the latest a national budget has ever been approved in Taiwan's history.
• Lawmakers cut NT$48 billion and froze various items, including money for normal agency operations and even top officials' salaries.
• Lai called the delay and the cuts unreasonable, arguing budget review should follow professional and proportional standards, not political fights.
• He credited the government team with keeping the country running despite the funding limbo, amid a fast-changing global economy and defense needs.
• The 2027 budget is due to clear the cabinet on August 20, with new spending on child allowances, birth and childcare support, tech investment, and stronger defense.

Outlook: Lai wants the next budget reviewed on the legal timeline, but the same political splits could set up another fight in parliament.