Written by Min-Hua Chiang. This article examines Taiwan’s 2025 growth surge, driven by ICT exports, capital formation, and booming semiconductors, while showing stagnant consumption, rising inequality, inflation, and housing burdens. It argues that concentrated income in tech undermines social cohesion and urges government spending, diversification, and AI-enabled upgrading across lagging industries for sustainable growth ahead.
Written by Baosheng Guo. This article analyses Taiwan’s options in the face of Trump’s uncertain and unpredictable Taiwan policy. It suggests that Taiwan should urge the US to provide strategic clarity and strengthen its relationship with Europe. Taiwan should also weaponise the interdependence of its semiconductor industry with the US and prepare to restart its research and development of nuclear weapons.
Written by Yi-Ling Chen. This article traces Taiwan’s housing transformation, arguing that the state’s role remains central, and that its interventions have facilitated commodification, speculation, and inequality in Taiwan’s housing sector. It calls for restoring housing’s use value and reimagining it as a basic necessity.
Written by Zong-Rong Lee. As part of the Taiwan Insight–IJTS special issue on the Topical Section “Transitions and Challenges in Taiwan’s Economy and Society,” this article presents Zong-Rong Lee’s study on Taiwan’s enduring family capitalism. It traces how political patronage, kinship networks, and market reforms sustained family dominance, raising concerns about competition and long-term adaptability.
Written by Thung-Hong Lin and Chun-Yin Lee. This article discusses the impact of China’s tightening control and U.S.–China trade tensions on Taiwanese firms. The authors find that traditional electronics firms have suffered revenue and profit declines, while high-end semiconductor companies have shown counter-cyclical growth. Ongoing tariff negotiations leave future prospects uncertain.
Written by Zong-Rong Lee and Thung-Hong Lin. This article introduces the Taiwan Insight–IJTS special issue on the Topical Section “Transitions and Challenges in Taiwan’s Economy and Society.” Initiated as an open invitation to scholars worldwide, the Topical Section reflects on Taiwan’s economic transformation, convening debate on structural shifts, their consequences, and the pressing challenges shaping Taiwan’s future.
