TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former U.S. National Security Advisor Matt Pottinger highlighted the importance of deterrence for Taiwan’s security in a meeting with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Thursday (June 13).

The lessons learned from the Ukraine war indicate that the cost of prevention is lower than that of war itself, Pottinger said, per the Presidential Office. He emphasized that Taiwan's security is closely related to that of the U.S. and other regional countries. 

Pottinger noted that Lai understood the concept of “peace through strength” and said Taiwan can deter aggressive actions.

Many people live under authoritarian regimes and cannot enjoy democracy, the former official said. He added over one billion people across the Taiwan Strait look at Taiwan with envy.

Pottinger said he looked forward to exchanging views on strengthening Taiwan's security. He said earlier this month a Taiwan Strait conflict could be avoided in an interview with “Face the Nation.”

Pottinger said he was “quite optimistic” that a conflict with China could be deterred, but it meant the U.S. would have to “take some steps urgently.” He called on the U.S. to work with Taiwan and Japan to increase munitions production and boost investment in the industry.