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's 10 Speeches on National Unity Turn into a Disaster

President Lai Ching-te has delivered four out of his planned 10 speeches on national unity, and each one has sparked controversy. Rather than rallying the nation, these speeches have ranged from historically inaccurate gaffes to divisive rhetoric that betrays democratic principles. Instead of elevating public support in the face of an ongoing recall campaign against opposition lawmakers, President Lai’s high-profile address series has only served to expose his weaknesses—and those of his inner circle.

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President Lai's "Impurities" Remarks Like Purge Threat, Sends Chills

President Lai Ching-te recently delivered the second installment of his "Ten Speeches on Unity" at a Hakka Youth Association event in Taoyuan. Yet, the focus of his speech—eliminating "impurities" through elections and recall votes—has sparked widespread alarm. For the head of state in a democratic nation to refer to dissenting voices as "impurities" stands in sharp contrast to the message of "unity," and strikes a particularly jarring chord.

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Reasons Behind the Breakdown of the National Security Briefing

Imagine this scene: In the morning, a photo of President Lai Ching-te shaking hands warmly with opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) leaders before a national security briefing is broadcast across all media platforms. In the afternoon, Secretary-General Lin Yu-chang of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) announced the “Three Arrows” for the grand recall campaign, with billboards erected nationwide and recall groups mobilized across the country.

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Taiwan Strait Simulation: Two Key Factors Will Determine U.S. Intervention

The Center for Peace and Security at the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science Foundation held a 2025 Taiwan Strait defense wargame, which concluded yesterday. Facing a simulated mainland Chinese military invasion, former U.S. Pacific Commander Admiral Dennis Blair emphasized that American intervention in a Taiwan Strait war hinges on two key factors: the cause of the conflict and Taiwan’s own will to defend itself. A participant representing Japan noted that while the Self-Defense Forces are unlikely to take the initiative, they could play a supporting role based on the U.S.-Japan alliance.

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Xi's New Statement on Taiwan Draws Red Line for U.S.-China Relations

President Donald Trump of the United States had repeatedly extended invitations, and Chinese President Xi Jinping finally took the call. The key lies in this sentence from Xinhua News Agency’s official press release: “Avoid letting a minimal number of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists drag China and the United States into a dangerous situation of confrontation.” This marks a rare instance of Beijing airing its grievances on the Taiwan issue to a foreign power. While Mr. Trump did not respond directly, both sides are about to enter substantive trade negotiations and have agreed to promote mutual leadership visits. With that, the Taiwan issue has formally entered the U.S.-China negotiation table—something the government must not ignore.

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Huang Backs Nuclear Power in Taiwan, Criticized by DPP Supporters as Pro-China

When NVIDIA chief executive Jensen Huang said that “Taiwan should invest in nuclear power,” it set off a firestorm. Online criticism and smearing erupted. For someone as seasoned as Huang to appear unaware of a certain sensitive “local sentiment” in Taiwan made him seem like a political novice.

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President Lai Promotes Sovereign Wealth Fund to "Make America Great Again"

On the first anniversary of his inauguration, President Lai Ching-te suddenly announced plans to establish a Taiwanese sovereign wealth fund—a national-level investment platform. While the idea of a sovereign wealth fund has circulated in Taiwan for years, President Lai’s directive now gives it a tangible start. However, the motivations and considerations behind his move are thought-provoking.

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Trump's Mention of "Unification and Peace" Not to be Taken lightly

After the U.S.-China talks in Geneva concluded, President Donald Trump stated at a White House press conference that the discussions went smoothly, were mutually beneficial, and were "very conducive to unification and peace." The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration seems to have been overly dismissive of this, relying on a rigid "assume the worst of the adversary" mindset—one that excludes many potential variables. It would be better to reassess the event itself and adopt a broader and more flexible approach in analyzing potential threats.

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Offsetting Tariffs with Exchange Rates Suffocates Business Survival

The government delegation led by Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun and Minister without Portfolio and Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni concluded its first round of in-person trade talks with the United States in Washington on May 1, which focused on reciprocal tariffs and various economic issues. Coincidentally, immediately after the government announced the start of negotiations, the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) posted its largest single-day appreciation against the U.S. dollar on May 2 since central bank records began. By May 5, the surge continued, with the NTD soaring 1.872 points (6.21 percent) in just two trading days—an epic rise akin to a runaway train. This raises serious suspicion: Is the government’s so-called unspoken bargaining chip essentially offering NTD appreciation in exchange for the United States lowering reciprocal tariffs?

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President Lai All-Out on Eliminating Opposition, Triggering Public Backlash

The Kuomintang’s (KMT) massive “Fight Against Dictatorship” rally on April 26 drew significant momentum, but President Lai Ching-te mocked it by saying protesters “should go to Tiananmen Square.” It turns out he had already issued strict orders demanding all 35 recall motions against KMT legislators be passed. At a time when U.S.-China trade tensions are escalating, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariffs threaten to devastate Taiwan’s exports, the Lai administration has shown no interest in an economic response.

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