The top United States representative to Taiwan, Raymond F. Greene, affirmed that American support for Taiwan remains unwavering, principled, and bipartisan. Greene emphasized Washington’s commitment to ensuring Taiwan’s ability to defend itself against potential threats from China. The timing of these statements is crucial due to uncertainties surrounding China’s intentions towards Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory. The U.S. asserts its dedication to upholding its commitments to Taiwan’s defense, particularly concerning the security of shipping in the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from China.

Greene reiterated the significance of Taiwan as a top priority, highlighting the United States’ readiness to resist any form of force or coercion against Taiwan, in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act established after the severance of formal diplomatic ties in 1979. The U.S. government has informed Congress of approximately $38.4 billion in Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan since 2010, including over $6.4 billion under the Biden administration, in addition to transfers of arms from existing U.S. stocks.

Taiwan has been receiving upgraded and new military equipment, such as F-16 jet fighters and Abrams tanks, with plans for additional weaponry in the pipeline. Taiwan is also expanding its production of domestic arms, including submarines and anti-landing systems. Greene, who assumed the role of director of the American Institute in Taiwan two months ago, serves as America’s de-facto ambassador to the island nation, which maintains strong commercial, cultural, and political ties with the U.S.

The topic of Taiwan featured prominently during the recent visit of U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to China, aiming to maintain open communication channels in a relationship that has experienced escalating tensions in recent years. The meeting between Sullivan and Chinese leader Xi Jinping was deemed particularly significant, with Sullivan representing the direct messaging from President Joe Biden to the Chinese leadership. Sullivan also engaged in discussions with General Zhang Youxia of the Central Military Commission, marking a rare meeting with a visiting U.S. official.

China has called for the U.S. to halt military collaboration with Taiwan and to cease arming the island. Meanwhile, a statement from the White House indicated the progress in military communications over the past 10 months, while stressing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Following senior U.S. lawmaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022, communication between the U.S. and Chinese militaries was suspended, gradually resuming after a meeting between Xi and Biden in November.

Despite the U.S.’s vocal support for Taiwan’s democracy, in contrast to China’s authoritarian regime, Greene refrained from commenting on recent corruption and abuse of power allegations involving former Taipei mayor and presidential candidate Ko Wen-je. This stance reflects Washington’s focus on broader geopolitical considerations amidst the complex dynamics in the region.