The US would not rule out jointly producing weapons with Taiwan, American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene said yesterday, adding that the nation’s defense needs were the top priority for US arms deliveries.
“The US is now working with a number of partners looking at possibilities of expanding our joint production of military supplies and I’ll not rule out Taiwan being one of those partners in the future,” Greene told reporters in Taipei without giving details.
Keeping a “strategic balance” in the region would foster cross-strait relations, he said.
Photo: CNA
China has stepped up military and political pressure against Taiwan in the past few years, and in May held war games around the nation following the inauguration of President William Lai (賴清德).
Greene took up the role in July. He was previously the deputy chief of mission at the US embassy in Tokyo.
He said that the US was also working with Taiwan to boost its response in dealing with emergencies, which is another top priority of Lai’s government, including reinforcing the nation’s resilience in communications, cybersecurity and energy supplies.
“We are looking forward to helping Taiwan apply its own expertise in dealing with [problems ranging from] natural disasters to countering potential manmade threats,” he added.
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