August 24, 2010 Press Releases

Obama Administration Makes Small Move to End Taiwan Arms Freezes

The US-Taiwan Business Council welcomes the Thursday, August 12 decision by the Obama Administration to notify Congress of three Taiwan arms sales programs related to radar upgrades for Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Fighters (IDF). These relatively small programs – held at the U.S. Department of State since late winter of 2010 – were Direct Commercial Sales […]

July 1, 2010 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q2, 2010

Through the second quarter of 2010, the primary focus in Taiwan has been on the trade pact with China. Known as the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA), this is widely considered to be the single most important achievement for the Ma Ying-jeou administration during its first term. The ECFA may have broad-ranging implications – political […]

June 13, 2010 Commentary & Reports Editorials

Wall Street Journal Editorial on Chinese Opposition to Taiwan Arms Sales

Editorial: Take China Out of the Driver’s Seat on Taiwan Rupert Hammond-Chambers President US-Taiwan Business Council America’s defense relationship with Taiwan is again causing friction in Washington’s dealings with Beijing. Earlier this month China rejected a request from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates to visit the mainland, citing recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. He […]

May 11, 2010 Commentary & Reports

US-Taiwan Business Council Releases Major Report Examining the Balance of Air Power in the Taiwan Strait

Executive Summary Taiwan’s relationship with China continues to improve and expand. Yet the eroding cross-Strait military balance must be redressed so that Taiwan can approach the political dialogue from a position of confidence and strength. Effective air defense is a crucial component if Taiwan is to mount a viable defense of the island. Taiwan’s current […]

May 10, 2010 Press Releases

US-Taiwan Business Council to Release Independent Analysis Report on The Balance of Air Power in the Taiwan Strait

On May 11, 2010, at a public seminar on Capitol Hill, the US-Taiwan Business Council will release a report entitled “The Balance of Air Power in the Taiwan Strait”. This report provides a detailed examination of Taiwan’s major air defense requirements, and was written to conform to the 2009 Congressional directive instructing the U.S. Department […]

April 1, 2010 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q1, 2010

The year 2010 began with encouraging progress for a number of Taiwan’s long-delayed defense programs. But President Ma Ying-jeou may be finding it increasingly difficult to justify his support of continued defense procurements, given his desire to highlight the positive changes in cross-Strait relations as his presidency approaches the mid-term mark. Meanwhile, political battles also […]

January 29, 2010 Commentary & Reports

Special Commentary: US-Taiwan Business Council Welcomes Congressional Notification of Sales to Taiwan of PAC-3 Missile Units, BLACK HAWK Helicopters, OSPREY Ships, HARPOON Missiles and MIDS/LVT-1 Terminals

The US-Taiwan Business Council welcomes Congressional Notification of Arms Sales to Taiwan The US-Taiwan Business Council today welcomed the Obama Administration’s decision to notify Congress of the following arms sales programs for Taiwan, with a total value of US$6.392 billion: 114 PATRIOT Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missiles, 3 AN/MPQ-65 Radar Sets and Other Related Equipment & […]

January 1, 2010 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Annual Review, 2009

Despite continued improvement in cross-Strait relations, 2009 proved to be rather stormy for President Ma Ying-jeou, whose ability to govern is increasingly being questioned in the wake of a series of political crises. The overwhelming parliamentary majority enjoyed by the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party has also proven to be of little consolation, as Mr. Ma’s […]

October 1, 2009 Taiwan Defense & Security Reports

Taiwan Defense & Security Report – Q3, 2009

The summer of 2009 was stormy for Taiwan, both literally and figuratively. While still struggling with a weak (albeit apparently stabilizing) economy, the island was hit by the most destructive typhoon in 50 years. Typhoon Morakot was a catastrophic event that also had powerful political ramifications. The political aftermath of the typhoon spilled over into […]

September 9, 2009 Press Releases

US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference 2009 to Discuss Taiwan’s Strategy for Integration, Innovation, and Military Transition

The US-Taiwan Business Council today announced that it will host the 8th annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference from September 27-29, 2009 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Keynote speakers at the conference will include Wallace “Chip” Gregson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian & Pacific Security Affairs; David Shear, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China, Hong Kong, […]