US drone makers, officials visit Taiwan on mission to secure supply chain
It comes as the United States is seeking to reduce supply chain risks by moving manufacturing away from mainland China
Representatives of 26 American drone companies, along with officials from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defence innovation unit, arrived in Taipei on Sunday for a four-day visit, according to the US International Trade Administration (ITA).
The group held policy round tables on Monday with officials from the American Institute in Taiwan – Washington’s de facto embassy in Taipei – and Taiwanese manufacturers, and visited commercial and defence companies, the ITA statement said without providing further details.
The delegation is expected to hold discussions with representatives of local drone associations on Tuesday. They will also meet officials from Taiwan’s military, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology – the island’s top weapons maker – and private defence contractor the Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation.
The ITA said the group would also attend business networking events with Taiwanese manufacturers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“The mission will facilitate connections with Taiwan’s authorities and private sector customers, including defence, security and police services, as well as critical infrastructure such as airports and manufacturing facilities,” it said.
