Raymond Greene, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), delivered opening remarks at the 2025 Yushan Forum. The forum serves as a platform for regional dialogue among Taiwan, its Indo-Pacific neighbors, and democracies worldwide.
Greene emphasized the United States' commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific region. "The United States stands strong with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific," he stated, highlighting actions to counter threats and enhance economic resilience.
He referred to President Trump's dedication to global peace, mentioning efforts to end the Ukraine war and strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Greene stressed the importance of peace across the Taiwan Strait for international security and prosperity. He noted that "conservative estimates put the cost of a Taiwan conflict at over 10% of global GDP."
The Trump Administration opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion. This stance was reinforced by G-7 Foreign Ministers recently meeting in Canada.
Greene also addressed U.S. support for Taiwan's self-defense capabilities amid China's pressure campaign. He welcomed President Lai's announcement on increasing defense spending and initiatives against Chinese espionage.
Economic cooperation between America and Taiwan was another focus. Greene mentioned a $100 billion investment by TSMC in Arizona as part of efforts to meet global demand for advanced chips.
Efforts are underway to replace Chinese supply chains in critical sectors like drones and robotics, aligning with President Trump's re-industrialization mission.
Finally, Greene expressed support for increased Taiwanese investment with partners such as the Philippines and Guatemala, aligned with President Lai’s “New Southbound Policy Plus (+).”