Taiwan has officially confirmed the presence of U.S. troops stationed permanently on its islands in the Taiwan Strait, including one located just over a mile off the southeast coast of China.
The deployment of U.S. troops was made possible by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in 2023, which authorized training programs for frontline troops in Taiwan.
China has long expressed its intention to annex democratic Taiwan, considering it a renegade province, despite never having governed it. In response to increased military activities and drills by China in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan has ramped up its defense investments.
When questioned about reports of U.S. Army Green Special Forces, commonly known as Green Berets, being stationed permanently in Taiwan, Taiwanese Defense Chief Chiu Kuo-cheng confirmed the presence but emphasized the need for ongoing communication and collaboration with allies.
Chiu stated, “We can learn from each other to see what strengths we have. This is a fixed thing,” indicating the enduring nature of the arrangement.
While occasional training activities with U.S. instructors were acknowledged by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2021, Chiu’s statement marks the first official confirmation of the long-term presence of U.S. troops in Taiwan for training purposes.
