Richard Bush and Bonnie Glaser Address U.S.–Taiwan Strategic Trust and Taiwan Strait Security at Joint Symposium
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta (TECO in Atlanta) and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) jointly hosted a symposium titled “America’s 250th Anniversary and Taiwan’s 30 Years of Direct Presidential Elections: From Shared Values to Strategic Trust” on October 22. The two institutions also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on educational cooperation, establishing a framework for closer collaboration in higher education, academic research, and talent development.
The MOU was signed by Jared Lin, Director-General of TECO in Atlanta, and Gretchen Neisler, Vice Provost for International Affairs at UTK. Areas of cooperation include student, faculty, and researcher exchanges; the sharing of academic and instructional resources; and collaboration on degree programs. Consistent with the priorities of the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative for 2026–2028, the agreement builds on the growing economic partnership between Taiwan and Tennessee by expanding ties in education, research, and talent development. It also provides opportunities for further cooperation in Mandarin language education, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and workforce development in advanced technology sectors.
In his remarks, DG Lin noted that the 250th anniversary of American independence and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election reflect a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and the right of people to choose their own future. He emphasized that the U.S.–Taiwan partnership is grounded in longstanding exchanges and mutual trust, with both sides continuing to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, and education amid changes in the global economy and regional security challenges.
DG Lin also highlighted Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s visit to Taiwan in October 2025, the signing of a memorandum on trade and economic cooperation, Tennessee’s announcement of plans to establish an office in Taiwan, and Taiwanese companies’ expanding investments in high-tech manufacturing in Tennessee. These developments, he noted, demonstrate the growing strength of Taiwan–Tennessee relations. The MOU with UTK builds on this progress by establishing a framework for long-term academic cooperation.
The first keynote address, focusing on U.S.–Taiwan strategic trust, was delivered by Richard C. Bush, former Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan （AIT) and Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Bush noted that although U.S.–Taiwan relations are founded on shared values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, the two sides’ national interests and assessments of risk may not always align. In light of regional security challenges and uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy toward Taiwan, he emphasized the importance of strengthening Taiwan’s national defense, democratic governance, and societal resilience, while promoting cross-party cooperation to enhance policy effectiveness. He also underscored the need for close communication between the United States and Taiwan to deepen strategic trust and reduce the risk of miscalculation.
Bonnie S. Glaser, Managing Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States, delivered the second keynote address on Indo-Pacific stability and the U.S.–Taiwan strategic partnership. Glaser discussed China’s increasing use of gray-zone tactics in the East China Sea, the South China Sea, and waters surrounding Taiwan, including coast guard patrols, maritime law enforcement activities, and assertions of administrative jurisdiction. She explained that these measures seek to gradually alter the regional status quo without triggering a large-scale military conflict. Glaser emphasized the importance of closer U.S.–Taiwan cooperation in coast guard operations, cybersecurity, energy resilience, and defense, as well as stronger coordination with regional partners, including Japan and the Philippines, to safeguard peace in the Taiwan Strait and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific.
The symposium also featured panel discussions with Timothy S. Rich, Professor at Western Kentucky University; Richard J. Haddock, a scholar at George Washington University; Benjamin Tkach, Associate Professor at Mississippi State University; and Gary J. Sampson, a scholar specializing in Asia-Pacific security. The panelists examined Taiwan’s democratic governance, challenges posed by China’s authoritarianism, gray-zone coercion, defense and deterrence, and regional security cooperation.
TECO in Atlanta noted that the symposium and the signing of the MOU with UTK represent an important step in strengthening academic exchanges and talent development between Taiwan and Tennessee, while laying the groundwork for sustained institutional cooperation. The office will continue to engage academic institutions and industry partners across the southeastern United States to expand educational exchanges, deepen mutual trust, and further strengthen the U.S.–Taiwan partnership.
Jared Lin, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta, and Gretchen Neisler, Vice Provost for International Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, sign the MOU on educational cooperation.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville jointly host the symposium.
Richard C. Bush delivers a keynote address on U.S.–Taiwan strategic trust.
Bonnie S. Glaser delivers a keynote address on Indo-Pacific stability and the U.S.–Taiwan strategic partnership.
From left: keynote speaker Richard C. Bush; moderator Vasabjit Banerjee, Associate Professor of Political Science at UTK (standing); Timothy S. Rich, Professor of Political Science at Western Kentucky University; and Richard J. Haddock of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.
From left: keynote speaker Bonnie S. Glaser; Benjamin Tkach, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Mississippi State University; and Gary J. Sampson, Senior Fellow for China Strategic Studies at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies.
