AIT Director Greene Urges Taiwan to Continue Investing in Military Deterrence and Resilience, Especially in Unmanned Systems

(Central News Agency, reporter Su Siyun, Taipei, 6th) American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene said today that the passage of the special national defense budget by the Legislative Yuan is a crucial first step in strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities. He expressed hope that Taiwan will continue to invest in military deterrence and social resilience, particularly in emerging technology fields such as unmanned systems.

The Center for Science, Democracy, and Society (DSET) held its annual forum, the "International Summit on Supply Chain Resilience Strategy," today. The forum invited former government officials, industry representatives, and think tank delegates from Taiwan, the United States, Japan, and Ukraine to focus on four main themes: semiconductors, artificial intelligence, energy security, and the drone supply chain. Nearly 600 participants from industry, government, and academia registered for the event.

Li Yu-jie, Advisor to the National Security Council of the Presidential Office; Lin Fa-cheng, Deputy Minister of the National Science and Technology Council; and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene delivered remarks. U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, also spoke via a pre-recorded video.

According to a press release from DSET, Greene stated at the meeting that Taiwan has become the United States' 4th largest trading partner since last year. As the importance of supply chain security grows, the U.S. and Taiwan are deepening cooperation in emerging technology fields. The U.S. is committed to maintaining its leadership in AI by accelerating innovation, building critical infrastructure, and strengthening cooperation. Taiwan plays a core role in key areas such as semiconductors, energy, data infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing. Through collaboration, the U.S. and Taiwan will jointly ensure that the future of AI develops in a safe, resilient, and prosperous direction.

Greene emphasized that the highly concentrated market for critical minerals and rare earth resources has become a tool for political coercion and supply chain disruption. The U.S. is working with allies and partners, including Taiwan, to establish diverse, secure, and reliable sources of supply.

Furthermore, as a major global energy exporter, Greene said the U.S. is willing to deepen energy cooperation with Taiwan, providing stable and reliable energy sources to support Taiwan's economic growth and overall economic security.

Greene stressed that the U.S. opposes any actions that would change the status quo. He noted that the passage of the special national defense budget by Taiwan's Legislative Yuan is a crucial first step in strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities. He expressed hope that Taiwan will continue to invest in military deterrence and social resilience, particularly in emerging technology fields such as unmanned systems.

Li Yu-jie pointed out that the DSET annual forum has entered its third year and has become an important platform for technological and geopolitical cooperation between Taiwan and its democratic allies. The exchanges at the forum all pertain to core issues of concern to the Taiwanese government, including AI, semiconductors, "non-red supply chains" for drones, and energy resilience policy recommendations derived from domestic and international war games and real-world experience. These are of great significance to Taiwan.

Lin Fa-cheng stated that the world is entering a new wave of technological revolution represented by artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, smart robots, and autonomous unmanned vehicles. Future technological competition will not be a competition between a single company or a single country, but a competition of "ecosystems" and "international cooperation." Taiwan possesses a world-class semiconductor industry, a complete supply chain, and the advantages of a free and open democratic system. Through technological complementarity with friendly nations, Taiwan can attract more international enterprises. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150606