TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) told American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene during their first official meeting Wednesday (July 10) that he believed relations between Taiwan and the United States would only get better.

The career diplomat took office Tuesday (July 9) following the departure of Sandra Oudkirk at the end of her three-year term. The president described Greene as an old friend of Taiwan as he had served twice at AIT before.

As cross-strait peace and stability were vital to the Indo-Pacific region and to the world, the U.S. would continue to support Taiwan’s efforts to defend itself, Greene said during his visit to the Presidential Office. Lai said that in the face of China’s attempts to change the status quo, Taiwan would do its utmost to maintain the present situation, Radio Taiwan International (RTI) reported.

Taiwan will cooperate with the U.S. and like-minded countries to promote regional prosperity, the president said. He also thanked Washington for living up to its promises, as the Biden administration had shown its support for Taiwan’s defense by approving 15 weapons deals.

Greene recounted when he served at AIT for the first time 20 years ago, Lai, who was a legislator at the time, had been invited to take part in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Greene said he had told the State Department that Lai might one day be president.

Lai expressed the hope for deeper trade relations, including completing the second phase of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative for 21st Century Trade and reaching an agreement on double taxation.