U.S. expands training of Taiwanese military with National Guard

U.S. National Guards have quietly began to provide training to the Taiwan military amid the growing Chinese threat. They offer “more training options” for Taiwanese troops to enhance their capability, a source familiar with the matter said.

"We don't have a comment on specific operations, engagements or training, but I would highlight that our support for, and defense relationship with, Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People's Republic of China," a Pentagon spokesperson told Nikkei. "Our commitment to Taiwan is rock-solid and contributes to the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and within the region."

"Increased training through a partnership between Taiwan's military and the U.S. National Guard is, if confirmed, a significant step and one that has been talked about in Washington for a while," said Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "U.S. National Guard training would likely be focused on improving Taiwan's ability to leverage its reserve forces to greater effect in support of a whole-of-society military mobilization plan."

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