US Defense Industrial Base Conference: Taiwan's Sole Invitation Enhances Exchange

The 2026 US Defense Industrial Base Conference was held in Milwaukee from April 7 to 9, attended by US defense officials, defense contractors, and executives from innovative technology and digital companies. Discussions focused on trends and impacts of new warfare and digital technology on the defense industry.

Daniel K.C. Lo, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, delivered a keynote speech at the closing luncheon titled "Democratic Resilience and Defense Innovation: Taiwan's Role in Strengthening Allied Supply Chains in the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States and 30 Years of Taiwan's Direct Presidential Elections." This highlighted Taiwan's importance in global supply chains and the defense industrial system. Taiwan was the only foreign government representative invited to the conference, demonstrating the high regard from the US.

Lo pointed out that Taiwan is strategically located at the center of the first island chain and holds a core position in the global high-tech industry chain. President Lai Ching-te's Four Pillars of Peace and Foreign Minister Joseph Wu's (Lin Chia-lung's) three-chain strategy serve as cornerstones to ensure global and Taiwan-US peace, security, prosperity, and stability. Taiwan and the US share core values such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, making them steadfast partners in security, trade, and shared values.

Lo stated that in the current intensifying geopolitical competition, democratic nations must work together to strengthen supply chain resilience and economic security, and Taiwan and the US can establish alliances in technology, trust, and resilience.

Regarding defense, he emphasized that Taiwan continues to enhance its self-defense capabilities, with the defense budget increasing by 80% from 2016 to 2024, setting a target of 5% of GDP by 2030. Taiwan is also developing asymmetric warfare strategies and promoting defense industrial autonomy, including the indigenous submarine program, drones, and missiles as key defense capabilities. Taiwan is committed to deepening cooperation with like-minded countries to jointly maintain regional peace and stability.

Attendees raised questions about Taiwan's indigenous submarine program, strategies for dealing with US-China competition, experiences in preventing cyberattacks, and how the US industry can assist Taiwan in strengthening its defense supply chain. Several industry representatives expressed interest in organizing delegations to visit Taiwan for exchanges and discussions on cooperation opportunities.

The conference was organized by the non-profit defense industry and artificial intelligence logistics academic institution "Knudsen Institute" and the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce in Wisconsin. Government representatives from the Department of Transportation and the Department of War, think tanks, and industry professionals were invited to discuss important issues such as defense industrial mobilization, supply chain resilience, and multinational cooperation. (Edited by Chen Cheng-chien) 1150410