Taiwan Needs to 'Spend Smarter' on Defense, U.S. Envoy Says

Taiwan must "spend smarter" on its defense, prioritizing drones and asymmetric warfare capabilities, according to Raymond Greene, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taipei. Speaking at a forum in Taipei, Greene highlighted lessons from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, stating that drones are transforming warfare and offer Taiwan significant opportunities to bolster its military balance against China.

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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.

Greene's remarks coincide with ongoing efforts by Taiwan's government to secure full defense funding. President Lai Ching-te had requested an additional $40 billion for defense, but the opposition-dominated parliament approved only about two-thirds of that amount last month. The government is now seeking approval for the remaining funds, which are earmarked for domestically produced systems like drones and missiles, crucial for deterring Beijing's claims over the self-governing island.

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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.

The United States, Taiwan's primary international backer and arms supplier, strongly supports Lai's defense initiatives. Greene reiterated that maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is vital for the economic prosperity of the U.S., Taiwan, and the world. He underscored the U.S. policy of opposing any forceful or coercive alteration of Taiwan's status quo.

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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.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the U.S. is legally bound to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. However, recent statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump have introduced some uncertainty regarding future arms sales packages. Greene assured that the U.S. policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged, emphasizing the critical nature of the island's security for regional and global stability.

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The United States has made clear that we oppose any forced, compelled, or coercive change to the status of Taiwan.