A high-ranking American diplomat urged Taiwan on Saturday to make more strategic investments in its military capabilities, emphasizing the importance of drone technology in maintaining defense balance against China.
Taiwan’s legislature, controlled by opposition parties, recently approved just two-thirds of the $40 billion additional defense funding requested by President Lai Ching-te last month. The administration has made unmanned aircraft and other asymmetric defense systems central to its military upgrade efforts.
Officials are now working to secure approval for the rejected funding, which was designated for domestically produced systems including drones and missiles, as part of efforts to strengthen deterrence against China, which considers the democratic island part of its territory.
The United States has expressed strong support for Lai’s defense spending proposals.
At a conference in Taipei, Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, emphasized America’s interest in continued military investments.
“It is critical that Taiwan not only spend more on its own defence but also spend smarter. And there is no smarter way Taiwan can deliver deterrence right away than by investing in unmanned systems,” he stated.
“The conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated that drones are changing the character of warfare, offering enormous opportunities for Taiwan to re-establish the cross-Strait military balance,” Greene added.
America has historically served as Taiwan’s primary international supporter and weapons provider, despite the absence of official diplomatic relations.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump has created uncertainty for Taiwan following his recent meeting with China’s Xi Jinping in Beijing last month, stating he remains undecided about proceeding with a proposed $14 billion arms package for Taipei.
The United States, legally obligated to provide Taiwan with defensive capabilities, has maintained its policy toward the island remains unchanged, a position Greene reinforced.
“Maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is absolutely critical for the economic well-being of the United States, Taiwan, and the entire world,” he declared.
“The United States has made clear that we oppose any forced, compelled, or coercive change to the status of Taiwan,” Greene continued.
Taiwan’s administration disputes Beijing’s territorial claims, maintaining that only the island’s residents have the authority to determine their political future.
