Raymond Greene is set to take over as the director of the American Institute in Taiwan this summer. This transition will coincide with the inauguration of Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te. As the top U.S. diplomat in Taipei, Greene will be a crucial supporter of Taiwan, a country with which the United States has no formal diplomatic ties, but is its most important international backer and arms supplier. This comes at a time of rising tensions with China, which has escalated political and military pressure against Taiwan.
Green’s appointment as the head of the AIT, which is responsible for handling relations between the United States and Taiwan in the absence of official ties, highlights the importance of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. With his background as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo and past experience in Taiwan, Greene is seen as a staunch friend of Taiwan and well-versed in Taiwan’s affairs. He is also fluent in Japanese and Mandarin, which would allow him to serve as a useful conduit between Taiwan and Japan, a country that shares concerns about potential Chinese military actions against Taiwan.
As Greene assumes his new role, Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, will also be taking office. Lai, who won the January election and is set to be inaugurated on May 20, is viewed negatively by China, which considers him a separatist and has refused offers for dialogue. Lai advocates for Taiwan’s right to self-determination and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims over the island. Greene’s appointment signals a continued commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and support for Taiwan’s democratic institutions and economic development.
While precise details about Greene’s assumption of duties are not clear, sources anticipate that he will take over this summer when the term of the current director, Sandra Oudkirk, ends. Greene previously served as the U.S. consul general in Chengdu, China, and Okinawa, Japan, areas with strategic significance in relation to Taiwan. His remarks in 2021 emphasized the evolving U.S. approach towards Taiwan, viewing it as an opportunity for cooperation rather than a problem in U.S.-China relations. This shift reflects a broader focus on strengthening partnerships in the region and promoting shared values of democracy and prosperity.
The United States considers Taiwan a critical element in its relationship with China and has taken steps to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities amid growing Chinese aggression. Taiwan stands as a major line of defense against potential conflict with China, adding to its strategic importance for U.S. security interests in the region. The upcoming U.S. presidential election could introduce uncertainties, but Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed confidence in continued American support, regardless of the election outcome. Overall, Greene’s appointment underscores the enduring partnership between the United States and Taiwan and the shared commitment to promoting stability and democracy in the Indo-Pacific region.
