00:00The strong connections between Taipei and Washington's defense sectors are on full display
00:04here in the capital.
00:06The Taiwan U.S. Defense Industry Forum highlights the growing connections both public and private
00:11between both countries and what we can expect moving forward.
00:15More than 40 companies were present, up from less than 10 when the event launched nearly
00:19a decade ago, with organizers saying there's never been so much interest from the private
00:23sector.
00:2341 companies being here, starting from seven just nine years ago, that right there speaks
00:29volumes about the growth, the opportunity.
00:34The event comes soon after Taiwanese lawmakers approved a US$25 billion special defense budget
00:39for U.S.-made weapons, including air defense missiles and HIMARS rocket artillery units.
00:43But arms transfers are only the tip of the iceberg.
00:46Private sector experts also spoke on drones and communications technology, systems that
00:50would be vital in defending Taiwan.
00:51It also follows U.S. President Donald Trump's meeting with China's Xi Jinping in Beijing
00:56earlier this month.
00:57Speaking afterward, Trump called U.S. arms sales to Taiwan a good negotiating chip in his
01:02own dealings with Beijing, raising concerns in Taipei.
01:05But at the forum, experts doubled down on U.S.-Taiwan engagement, highlighting how intertwined
01:10and aligned both countries are when it comes to security.
01:13America has excellent technology.
01:16Taiwan has excellent manufacturing ability and very good partnerships for co-development
01:22and then co-manufacturing, not just for Taiwan, but for the U.S. too and the global market.
01:28While arms sales are government-to-government agreements, participants in the forum stress the
01:33possibility for private sector innovation and the interconnectedness of both economies.
01:37A resilient Taiwan, a prosperous Taiwan means a resilient and prosperous America and by extension
01:45then the world.
01:46And what we can bring in terms of the defense relationship, the defense sector through the
01:51private sector, is to help Taiwan's private sector get involved in a way so that you are
01:58ready and serving as a deterrence message.
02:02Moving forward, the goal for many here will be to build up bilateral cooperation even more.
02:06Taiwanese drone manufacturers are already working with U.S. tech companies,
02:09but there are more opportunities for co-development and co-production.
02:13While Taiwan awaits to see if Trump will approve an expected $14 billion U.S. arms sale,
02:18events like this one show the already strong connections between Taiwan and the U.S.
02:23Fuwa Ha Hung and Larry Siano in Taipei for Taiwan Plus.
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