Taiwan is pushing to build a drone manufacturing supply chain with U.S. cooperation, a positive development for Taiwan's traditional manufacturers and its defense industry.

• Taiwan and the U.S. are working together to build a drone industry chain, giving Taiwan's factories a new high-demand product line.
• ITRI president Chang Pei-jen is leading the effort to help Taiwan's traditional industries — metalworking, machinery, electronics parts — shift into drone production.
• The goal is to spread the benefits widely so ordinary workers and smaller firms gain, not just big tech companies.
• Drones are a strategic priority as both Taiwan and the U.S. want a supply chain that does not depend on China.

Outlook: Expect more government support and U.S. partnership deals aimed at turning Taiwan into a major non-China drone supplier.