Francis Tuschek
The Director of the American Institute in Taiwan announced that the US plans to enhance investment and trade ties, aiming for mutual prosperity.
In a recent interview, American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene emphasized that the US remains committed to Taiwan, ensuring its safety, strength, and prosperity.
“The US has consistently supported Taiwan across multiple administrations and will continue to oppose any coercive attempts to alter Taiwan’s status,” Greene stated.
He highlighted the US’s commitment to bolstering Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities.
Greene also pointed out plans to collaborate in advanced technologies, including AI and quantum computing, while establishing a critical supply chain that excludes China, particularly in sectors like drones and robotics.
These partnerships are expected to strengthen economic ties between the US and Taiwan.
When asked about potential policy changes under the new Trump administration, Greene reaffirmed that the US would persist in expanding two-way trade and investment with Taiwan.
Despite both nations leading in the semiconductor industry, Greene noted significant opportunities for collaboration in various sectors, including energy. He mentioned Taiwan’s manufacturing prowess could aid US reindustrialization, while the US, as a major energy exporter, could supply Taiwan with natural gas and renewable energy.
Addressing concerns about the US’s reliability, Greene reiterated that the Taiwan Relations Act has consistently guided US policy towards Taiwan across administrations.
He underscored Taiwan’s role as a key partner in developing critical technologies vital for 21st-century competition.
To avert conflicts in the Taiwan Strait, Greene stressed the need for Taiwan to enhance its defense capabilities, alongside cooperation with allies such as the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan.
Both Trump and prospective US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby have advocated for Taiwan to increase its defense budget to 10% of GDP. Taiwan’s government has already set aside NT$647 billion for defense this year, but this was later reduced by the legislature.
Greene welcomed President Lai’s intentions to raise defense spending beyond 3% of GDP and praised his leadership on resilience initiatives.
He acknowledged the bipartisan support for Taiwan’s security in the US Congress, which has allocated over $2 billion for Taiwan’s defense in recent years.
Regarding delays in US arms sales to Taiwan, Greene noted that production challenges in the US defense industry, exacerbated by global tensions, have impacted delivery timelines.
“Taiwan remains our top priority, and we are actively working to expedite the delivery of essential asymmetric systems,” he confirmed.
Greene also expressed optimism about future collaboration with Taiwan’s advanced defense industry in areas like drones and satellite systems.
On Taiwan’s nuclear energy development, Greene mentioned that several US companies are interested in expanding operations in Taiwan, particularly in AI data centers that require substantial energy. He highlighted the growing global interest in nuclear power as a stable energy source for supporting new technologies, indicating potential for US-Taiwan cooperation in this domain.