Published since 2019 by the Fair Winds Foundation and Association of Foreign Relations, Taiwan Weekly provides in-depth report and analysis of the major issues facing Taiwan.
President Lai Lacks Understanding of Democracy, Disregards Legislative Checks and Balances
President Lai Ching-te has recently made a high-profile push for a “mass recall” campaign, a sharp contrast to his statement just two months ago about “respecting the autonomy of civic groups.” This reflects the pragmatism and flexibility of his political maneuvers. Acting as party chairman, he mobilized the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for a nationwide campaign, triggering strong countermeasures from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP)—turning the battle into a classic case of partisan confrontation.
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President Lai's Calculations Aim to Alter U.S.-China-Taiwan Relations
After unveiling a comprehensive set of 17 major strategies on national security, President Lai Ching-te launched a series of military maneuvers—from the “Mini Han Kuang” exercises, the appointment of former Japanese Self-Defense Forces Chief of Staff Shigeru Iwasaki as Executive Yuan advisor, to salary hikes for voluntary soldiers. These actions were quickly deciphered by American media such as The Washington Post and The New York Times as calculated political moves meant to provoke Beijing—moves that have subtly altered the balance in U.S.-China-Taiwan relations. President Lai’s motivation, it appears, is to garner support from U.S. President Donald Trump’s political camp.
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"Abandon Taiwan" Narratives Surge in U.S.: Is Lai Still Riding on Trump's Coattails？
At the recent Yushan Forum held in Taipei, the event unexpectedly opened with narratives on skepticism towards the United States. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former secretary-general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and former prime minister of Denmark, who spoke in front of President Lai Ching-te and Director Raymond Greene of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), did not hold back. He bluntly stated, "Under a Trump administration, the White House can no longer be relied upon." The U.S.-Europe alliance has increasingly become transactional, and President Donald Trump of the United States now views Washington, Beijing, and Moscow as the three global centers of power. He questioned, "How should Taiwan and Ukraine perceive this situation?" While Greene attempted a defense, his explanation was unconvincing.
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TSMC Forced to Move to the U.S.: Lai Administration Spins It as "Eastward Expansion"
After President Lai Ching-te called for an "Eastward Expansion" at the Yushan Forum, where skepticism towards the United States was pervasive, senior officials of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) began competing in rhetoric. They mythologized the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) investment in the United States as a grand conquest and natural expansion, while even Taiwan’s representative to the United States seemed more like an envoy assisting American interests. He agreed to TSMC’s most advanced chip production taking place in the United States, with progress already surpassing that of Taiwan. Amidst all the enthusiasm, no one discussed how to ensure Taiwan’s industrial roots remain strong or how to sustain private investment momentum. No wonder public opinion surveys indicate mixed feelings about TSMC’s move to the United States.
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Deportation of Mainland Spouses: Lai Administration Buries Freedom of Speech
Mainland Chinese spouse influencer Liu Zhenya was reported and ordered to leave Taiwan by the National Immigration Agency (NIA), Ministry of the Interior, for advocating on TikTok reunification by military force. Following this, two other mainland TikTok influencers, "Enqi" and "Xiaowei," were also investigated for similar remarks. This incident has sparked discussions on freedom of speech, national security, and the rights of 400,000 mainland spouses in Taiwan.
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Government Should Support TSMC, Prevent Chips from Leaving Taiwan
Recently, the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced an additional investment of $100 billion in the United States to construct three new wafer fabs, two advanced packaging facilities, and a research and development center, causing a nationwide uproar. Concerns have arisen: Will TSMC become an American company? Is Taiwan’s “silicon shield” at risk? Will Taiwan’s “protective mountain” still hold strategic value? These issues have sparked intense debate. Looking back at TSMC’s board reshuffle last June, the number of foreign and independent directors increased to six, including Ursula Burns, vice chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Supply Chain Competitiveness Advisory Committee. This raises suspicions about whether the change was meant to strengthen American influence over TSMC.
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Party-State System Takes Shape Under Anti-China Guise
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration has expanded its investigation into civil servants holding mainland Chinese documents, now requiring all personnel in military, civil service, education institutions, state-owned enterprises, and government-affiliated foundations—including non-civil service employees—to sign affidavits within a set deadline. Recently, the National Immigration Agency also revoked the residency permit of a mainland Chinese spouse, citing her advocacy for military reunification.
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Taiwan Returns to Era of Martial Law, Without Martial Law
History is a mirror that reveals the truth. Thirty-eight years ago, President Chiang Ching-kuo decided to lift martial law because the so-called "martial law that is not (military) martial law" neither affected people's daily lives nor was understood by democratic countries. Thirty-eight years later, President Lai Ching-te, citing five major threats and 17 strategies, has urged the government to amend the law, seemingly steering Taiwan back into an era of "martial law that is not martial law." At the same time, as chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), President Lai has issued a mobilization order, instructing all party officials to participate in eight "The People Are the Boss" campaign events.
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President Lai Attempts to Gloss Over Situation, Cannot Hide the Harsh Reality of TSMC's Concessions to the U.S.
Chairman C. C. Wei of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recently joined President Donald Trump of the United States at the White House to announce an additional $100 billion investment in the United States, bringing the total investment to $165 billion. This move has sparked public concerns that TSMC is turning into "American Semiconductor Manufacturing Company" or even "Trump Semiconductor," leading to fears that Taiwan's "Silicon Shield" may no longer protect the island. In response, President Lai Ching-te held an urgent press conference with Wei on March 6. This had two key purposes: First, to reaffirm the government's presence and emphasize that they were not uninformed beforehand; second, to reassure the public that TSMC is still committed to Taiwan.
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Over Past Quarter, Wei Frequently Visited the U.S., Cautiously Responding to Trump
In just 60 hours, Chairman C. C. Wei of the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) held press conferences accompanied by two presidents. As President Donald Trump of the United States remarked earlier at a White House press briefing, "No one has done what he has. He is truly a legend." Indeed, Wei has created a legendary chapter in the history of the global semiconductor industry.
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