Taiwan is opening the spending taps and holding down energy costs, which is good news for people and small businesses but adds to government borrowing.

• The cabinet approved a record NT$600 billion extra budget, the largest supplemental package on record.
• Household and small-business natural gas and LPG prices are frozen through the end of the year, keeping energy bills flat.
• New U.S. tariffs of up to 100% on drones take effect, hitting Taiwan's drone makers and their exports to America.
• Registration for the nine-in-one local elections closes, with Taipei and New Taipei the marquee races.
• Life insurers are signaling confidence in profits, and the U.S. dollar slipped against the Taiwan dollar.

Outlook: Expect the budget to dominate political fights heading into the local elections, while drone exporters scramble to deal with the U.S. tariffs.