Taiwan's executive and legislative branches are locked in a deepening standoff, and a promised child savings program is the latest casualty — bad news for families expecting the payments.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai refused to sign off on an opposition-backed law that would put money into savings accounts for children up to age 17.
• The Cabinet says the law is unconstitutional because corporate donations into the accounts would let rich families pile up more, widening the wealth gap.
• The government is pushing its own plan instead: a monthly allowance for children from birth to 18, budgeted for 2027, plus matched savings for poor families.
• The opposition KMT calls the refusal proof that President Lai's government has contempt for parliament and is overriding it.
• This is the sixth bill Cho has refused to countersign since December 2025, something no premier had ever done before.

Outlook: With parliament controlled by the opposition and the presidency by the ruling party, more bills are likely to stall the same way, and the child payments stay in limbo.