A delegation of United States Defense contractors and a former senior leader of the U.S. Marine Corps have vowed the beginning of deeper cooperation with Taiwan.
Taiwan has faced increasing pressure from China in the years since Tsai Ing-wen was elected President. China, which claims the island as its territory, has poached Taiwan’s diplomatic allies. As such, Taiwan is now recognized by only 13 sovereign states.
Honduras is the ninth diplomatic ally that Taipei has lost to Beijing since the pro-independence Tsai first took office in May 2016. Taiwan still has ties with Belize, Paraguay and Guatemala in Latin America, and Vatican City. Most of its remaining partners are island nations in the Caribbean and South Pacific, along with Eswatini in southern Africa.
Also, China has sent military planes and ships toward the island on a near-daily basis. It held large-scale drills modeling a blockade and simulated strikes on important targets on the island twice within the past year.
Speaking at the Taiwan-U.S. Defense Industry Forum in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, retired Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder averred that the U.S. wants to be part of the defense capabilities of Taiwan and improve the supply chain resilience of the island. He also emphasized how critical the island’s position is for security.
“For the Asia-Pacific, I would offer there’s not another more important area in the world to maintain peace. So (when) you hear ‘a free and open Indo-Pacific,’ this is a small part of ensuring that shared vision remains intact.”
Retired Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder
“We want to be part of the self-defense capabilities of Taiwan,” Rudder iterated.
Rudder, who was in charge of Marines operations in the Pacific, disclosed that the visit was within the U.S.’ multiple agreements with China and laws related to Taiwan, such as the Taiwan Relations Act, which requires Washington to ensure Taiwan can defend itself. The legislation was enacted decades ago when the U.S. administration first recognized China and broke off official diplomatic relations with Taipei.
The event was co-hosted by a trade group from the U.S. and another from Taiwan as the public-facing portion of the defense contractors’ visit.
U.S Seeks Cooperation In Production Of Certain Products
Although it is unclear whether the groups will sign specific deals, local media reported that the United States was looking at cooperation in production of certain products.
Part of that cooperation would be ensuring both sides can work together to use the weapons systems Taiwan bought alongside the island’s existing self-produced defense capabilities. Washington is Taipei’s largest unofficial partner and the supplier of a vast majority of Taiwan’s defense purchases.
“I’ll say it very simply. The endgame is joint interoperability,” Rudder said.
Meanwhile, a group of about 20 activists protested outside. “American warmongers are a scourge on Taiwan,” read one of the banners.
David T. Chien, Vice-chair of the Blue Sky Action Alliance, which supports unification with China, stated, “They sell all sorts of outdated ammunition to Taiwan and make tens of billions of U.S. dollars from Taiwan every year.”
According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, between 6 a.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday, 27 Chinese warplanes and a drone flew toward Taiwan. The drone encircled the island, according to a flight map from the defense ministry, while seven navy vessels sailed the waters close by.
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