WASHINGTON, USA – On November 30, 2022, and February 9, 2023, the members of the Global Taiwan Institute’s Task Force on US-Taiwan Relations met in Washington, DC to conduct further discussions on a comprehensive review of US-Taiwan relations in the 21st Century.
Both meetings were led by Task Force Chair Robert C. O’Brien, who provided overviews of previous sessions, discussed recent developments in the US-Taiwan relationship, and worked to frame each day’s conversations.
During the November 30 meeting, Task Force members discussed Taiwan’s contributions to the global economic system. In particular, they drew attention to Taiwan’s crucial role in international supply chains, its leading position in the semiconductor sector, and its potential accession to regional multilateral institutions.
Members also discussed the People’s Republic of China’s mounting efforts to economically coerce Taiwan, highlighting the growing urgency of the Task Force’s work. The participants concluded the session by developing a list of recommendations for expanding US-Taiwan economic ties and safeguarding Taiwan’s position in global supply chains.
During the February 9 meeting, the Task Force debated Taiwan’s unique diplomatic status and relations with the United States. Specifically, members discussed the legacy of the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, recent Congressional bills aimed at strengthening Taiwan, and the future of US-Taiwan diplomatic exchanges. Participants also emphasized the importance of Taiwan’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections. Members once again concluded the session by developing a list of recommendations aimed at strengthening US-Taiwan diplomatic contacts.
Task Force Members agreed to meet again in March to continue their comprehensive review of the US-Taiwan relationship.
Task Force members also welcomed new member Lanhee Chen, the David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution.
Task Force Members:
Robert C. O’Brien, Task Force Chair, Former U.S. National Security Advisor
Carolyn Bartholomew, Commissioner, U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission
Lanhee Chen, David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies, Hoover Institution
Elbridge Colby, Principal, The Marathon Initiative
Shihoko Goto, Director for Geoeconomics and Indo-Pacific Enterprise and Deputy Director for the Asia Program, the Wilson Center
Jerrold Green, President & Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Council on International Policy
Jamieson Greer, Former Chief of Staff, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Wallace (Chip) Gregson, Lt. Gen. USMC (ret.)
Allison Hooker, Former Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs
Shirley Kan, Independent specialist in Asian security affairs who worked for Congress and member of GTI’s Advisory Board
Ivan Kanapathy, Former National Security Council Deputy Senior Director for Asian Affairs
Keith Krach, Former Under Secretary of State and Chairman & Co-Founder, Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy
Derek Mitchell, Former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asia Pacific Security Affairs
Kurt Tong, Managing Partner, The Asia Group
Stephen Young, Ambassador (ret.)
