KMT urges Lai to double planned cash handout to NT$20,000

Aug 18, 2026

Taiwan's opposition wants the government to hand every citizen twice as much cash, which would be good for households but a bigger hit to the budget.

  • The KMT is pushing President Lai Ching-te to raise his planned NT$10,000 payout to NT$20,000 per person.
  • Taiwan's economy is booming, with growth expected to hit 11% — the strongest in 39 years — leaving a budget surplus to spend.
  • The KMT calls Lai's plan a U-turn, since his government brushed off the same idea back in May.
  • Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an says NT$10,000 disappears on a grocery run; the ruling DPP told him to top it up with city money if he cares so much.

Outlook: The fight is now over the size and timing of the payout, which could land as early as January.

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