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.

Minister Kuo's Plan to Move Factories to the U.S. Won't Escape Tariff War

Minister Kuo's Plan to Move Factories to the U.S. Won't Escape Tariff War

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has made bold statements, pledging to impose a 10 percent tariff on China and 25 percent on Canada and Mexico once in office, leaving many stunned. Taiwan already has a $47.7 billion trade surplus with the United States through September this year, making it difficult to avoid high tariffs. However, the economic strategy proposed by Minister of Economic Affairs JW Kuo in response to Taiwan’s trade challenges raises concerns.

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President Lai's Approval Rating Plummets with a ＂Death Cross＂： Expert Reveals Five Critical Factors﹐Trouble from Within

President Lai's Approval Rating Plummets with a ＂Death Cross＂： Expert Reveals Five Critical Factors﹐Trouble from Within

President Lai Ching-te's approval rating has sharply dropped, with a "death cross" between supporters and opponents. A recent poll by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF) revealed that President Lai's approval has significantly fallen, with approval and disapproval rates now nearly equal. TPOF Chairman You Ying-lung identified five major reasons behind this decline, citing internal issues as a key factor.

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Avoiding Transit through the Continental U.S.: Option Palatable to U.S., China, and Taiwan

Avoiding Transit through the Continental U.S.: Option Palatable to U.S., China, and Taiwan

President William Lai, scheduled to visit Taiwan’s Pacific allies on November 30, may transit through either Hawaii or Guam. This transit option, amid the intricate international situations, appears to offer an acceptable way out to the United States, China, and Taiwan.

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Government Takes Lead with ＂Spoiled Bosses＂： Workplace MeToo Movement Anger Spreads

Government Takes Lead with ＂Spoiled Bosses＂： Workplace MeToo Movement Anger Spreads

The death of a public servant at the Ministry of Labor (MOL) has shattered the facade of “Happy Taiwan,” exposing deeply ingrained “workplace bullying.” On November 20, a note reading, “I am a public servant; I just want to live well,” was placed at the Ministry’s entrance. Despite apologies from President Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai, as well as the verbal resignation of Minister of Labor Ho Pei-shan, public outrage continued to surge. A "well-intentioned" investigation report from the Ministry of Labor, coupled with a lawyer’s statement from Hsieh Yi-jung, head of the northern Taiwan regional branch of the Workforce Development Agency, MOL, only exacerbated the situation, pouring fuel on an already raging fire.

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Trump’s Anti－China Stance Not Necessarily Friendly to Taiwan： Lai Administration Must Not Misjudge

Trump’s Anti－China Stance Not Necessarily Friendly to Taiwan： Lai Administration Must Not Misjudge

The global impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House  undeniable, with Taiwan’s national security officials rushing to signal allegiance through foreign media, offering NT$500 billion (about US$15.4 billion) for military purchases and emphasizing that Mr. Trump’s national security team is composed of “anti-China, pro-Taiwan” hawks who will not betray Taiwan. However, such shallow and reactive responses only highlight the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) usual tendency to self-deceive and cover up the realities of the situation.

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Elon Musk Whom the DPP Neglected

Elon Musk Whom the DPP Neglected

The core members of the Trump administration's national security team are mainly nominated. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seems feeling relieved by this line-up full of hawkish and anti-China tone and sentiment, mesmerizing itself by the fact that "the relationship between the United States and Taiwan is as good as it has been."

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＂Serving the Party＂﹐ National Media Self－Degenerating？

＂Serving the Party＂﹐ National Media Self－Degenerating？

The international video streaming platform Taiwan Plus (Taiwan+), established by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, was transferred to the Public Television Service (PTS), the state media funded by taxpayers’ money, due to poor management after burning through NT$5.8 billion (about US$178 million) over four years. Former President Tsai Ing-wen once likened it to the United Kingdom's BBC and Japan's NHK, aiming to showcase Taiwan to the world. However, on its official website, a feature on "Taiwan's Anti-Corruption Efforts" used an image of Chairman Ko Wen-je of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Chairman wearing handcuffs, and it claimed to the world that the new U.S. President Donald Trump was "a convicted felon." As a national media outlet, it should maintain neutrality and serve as an exemplary for all media, yet it has degraded itself into being a tool for partisan agendas.

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This Week in Taiwan 1110-1116

This Week in Taiwan 1110-1116

November 10: CNN reported that on November 7, during a dinner with Taiwan's representative to the United States Ambassador Alexander Yui, former White House National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien received a congratulatory letter from the Taiwan government, which he then passed on to President-elect Donald Trump's team. The report noted that this low-key congratulatory letter contrasts sharply with the controversial Trump-Tsai phone call in 2016. Both the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative in the United States and O'Brien declined to comment.

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Trump's Return to the White House: Taiwan Faces Arduous Security Challenges

Trump's Return to the White House: Taiwan Faces Arduous Security Challenges

Republican candidate Donald Trump became the first U.S. president in over a century to return to office. The election was smooth and peaceful, demonstrating the superiority of the American political system. However, this does not necessarily signal the "golden era" Mr. Trump promises or a return to American greatness. The ongoing Ukraine war, Middle East conflicts, and the Taiwan Strait remain global hotspots, with Taiwan facing severe security challenges.

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If Trump-Tsai Call Was An Accident, Then No Trump-Lai Call May Be Hidden Warning

If Trump-Tsai Call Was An Accident, Then No Trump-Lai Call May Be Hidden Warning

Eight years ago, then-President Tsai Ing-wen made a congratulatory call to the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Now, after eight years, there are rumors that President Lai Ching-te is considering a similar call to Mr. Trump, which the Office of the PResident has immediately and strongly denied. If the "Trump-Tsai call" was an unexpected occurrence, that "Trump and Lai aren’t making calls" is a reality. The intriguing nuance between "Tsai could, but Lai cannot" leaves much to ponder.

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