The objective of this evaluation was to determine whether the DoD effectively and efficiently implemented accountability and quality controls for items provided to Taiwan using the Presidential Drawdown Authority. We also assessed the DoD’s tracking and inventorying of the presidential drawdown (PD) items and the sufficiency of the DoD’s processes to ensure that the PD items met applicable standards.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security has said that Taiwan is a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific, as well as a chief supplier of semiconductors vital to the global economy and U.S. defense manufacturing. With the marked increase in People’s Liberation Army air and military activity around Taiwan since 2021, the United States prioritized strengthening Taiwan’s defense capabilities by using the Presidential Drawdown Authority to directly transfer existing U.S. military stock to Taiwan. On July 28, 2023, the President authorized the drawdown of up to $345 million in DoD defense articles and services to Taiwan.