Sources Report: Taiwan Ally Selected as Top US Diplomat in Taipei

This summer, a strong supporter of Taiwan will assume the role of the top U.S. diplomat in Taipei, according to three sources familiar with the situation. This comes as Taiwan’s new president is inaugurated amid escalating tensions with China.

Despite not having formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, the United States is a key ally and arms supplier to the island, much to the dismay of Beijing. China has been increasing its political and military pressure on Taiwan.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to Reuters that Raymond Greene, the current deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassy in Tokyo, will replace Sandra Oudkirk as the director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

AIT is responsible for managing relations between the United States and Taiwan in the absence of official diplomatic ties. As a career diplomat, Greene, previously the deputy head of AIT before moving to Japan, will effectively serve as the U.S. ambassador in Taipei.

While AIT declined to comment, the U.S. State Department did not respond to requests for confirmation. Greene is highly regarded as a loyal friend to Taiwan and has extensive knowledge of the region, according to the sources.

With proficiency in both Japanese and Mandarin, Greene is expected to facilitate communication between Taiwan and Japan, especially considering Japan’s concerns about potential Chinese military actions against Taiwan.

Gree will assume his new role as Taiwan’s new president, Lai Ching-te, assumes office. Lai, elected in January and set to be inaugurated on May 20, is considered a threat by China due to his pro-independence stance and rejection of Beijing’s sovereignty claims over Taiwan.

Although the exact timing of Greene’s appointment is unclear, sources indicated it would be this summer when Oudkirk’s term concludes. Oudkirk began her role in July 2021.

Prior to his assignments in Japan, Greene served as the U.S. consul general in Chengdu, China, and Okinawa, Japan, both regions in close proximity to Taiwan and with strategic importance to U.S. interests.

Reflecting on his experience, Greene highlighted the shifting focus from Taiwan being seen as a problem in U.S.-China relations to an opportunity for advancing mutual goals in the Indo-Pacific region and promoting democratic values globally.

China considers Taiwan as a critical and sensitive topic in its relations with the United States, and the outcome of the U.S. presidential election could introduce additional uncertainties. However, Taiwan’s foreign ministry expressed confidence that U.S. support for Taiwan would remain steadfast, regardless of the election results.