Former White House Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger visited Taiwan and met with President of the Republic of China, Lai Ching-te on June 13. Pottinger expressed his confidence in Taiwan’s ability to deter neighboring countries from aggression, believing that President Lai understands the principle of “peace through strength.”
President Lai Ching-te welcomed the visit of Matthew Pottinger and his delegation, expressing gratitude for their care and support for Taiwan and their joint efforts to deepen Taiwan-US relations.
In his speech, Pottinger congratulated President Lai on his election and inauguration, praising Taiwan for another peaceful transfer of power. He highlighted the contrast between people living under authoritarian regimes and those in democratic countries, including the billions across the Taiwan Strait, who admire and are inspired by the example set by Taiwan.
Pottinger mentioned his honor in visiting Taiwan alongside Ivan Kanapathy, former Deputy Director of the Asia Affairs office at the National Security Council, co-authoring the book “Boiling Moat.” They emphasized the importance of Taiwan’s security in relation to the security of the United States, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and other global countries.
Drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine, Pottinger stressed the importance of deterrence over the costs of war. He thanked President Lai for the meeting and looked forward to further discussions and exchanges of ideas.
President Lai Ching-te reciprocated the warm sentiments, welcoming Pottinger and Kanapathy to Taiwan. As the new government approaches its one-month mark, their visit reflects a deep care and support for Taiwan, for which Lai expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Taiwanese people.
Lai highlighted Pottinger and Kanapathy’s expertise in international geopolitics and expressed eagerness for in-depth discussions on regional affairs and Taiwan-US relations. He appreciated Pottinger’s upcoming book and valuable insights on Taiwan’s defense exchanges with other countries. The title, “Boiling Moat,” symbolizes fortification and peace, embodying the shared aspirations for Taiwan.
Lai emphasized the importance of strengthening democratic partnerships, aligning with Pottinger’s call for collaboration among democratic nations against authoritarian expansion. The new government aims to enhance Taiwan’s defense capability, ensure economic security, deepen democratic ties, and maintain principled leadership in cross-strait relations, collaborating closely with the US and like-minded nations for regional peace and stability.
Particularly as crucial economic partners, Taiwan and the US seek to deepen their trade relations for mutual benefits and to secure supply chains. They anticipate resolving double taxation issues, accelerating negotiations under the “Taiwan-US Trade Initiative for the 21st Century,” towards a bilateral trade agreement and further economic prosperity.
In conclusion, President Lai expressed gratitude for the visitors’ efforts to strengthen Taiwan-US relations, wishing them a successful and enriching visit. The delegation, accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu and National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo, met with President Lai at the Presidential Office.