The top American diplomat in Taiwan sought to send a reassuring message that his government supported both strengthening its defenses and ensuring energy supply during the Iran war, in a speech on Thursday before senior Taiwanese leaders.
The United States is the main supplier of arms and international support to Taiwan, claimed by China, despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties.
Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce dinner in Taiwan, in the presence of President Lai Ching-te and other senior officials, Raymond Greene stated that the commitments made by the United States under the Taiwan Relations Act, which includes arms sales, remained “rock solid.”
“Our goal remains to create an environment in which both sides of the Taiwan Strait can resolve their differences peacefully and without coercion. To achieve this, we view dialogue and deterrence as the two sides of a stable coin,” he said.
“In this context, we continue to support Taiwan’s efforts to acquire essential defense capabilities,” Greene added, emphasizing that Taiwan is focusing on acquiring cost-effective systems such as drones and integrated anti-aircraft and anti-missile defenses.
TRUMP TO MEET XI IN MAY
Greene, who heads the American Institute in Taiwan, which manages relations in the absence of formal diplomatic ties, spoke just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump declared he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in mid-May, a highly anticipated trip postponed due to the Iran war.
Beijing, which has not ruled out using force to bring Taiwan under its control, has demanded an end to American arms sales to Taiwan, which is democratically governed.
Greene also committed to the United States providing more crude oil and natural gas to Taiwan to “further mitigate the effects of current disruptions in global raw material supply,” without directly mentioning the Middle East war.
The Taiwanese state-owned refiner, CPC, and American LNG exporter Cheniere Energy recently agreed that the American company would double gas imports from CPC to the island, he added.
“As I said last year, America is ready to meet Taiwan’s energy needs, using all sources and technologies.”
