Written by Meng Kit Tang. As tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait, military deterrence has become the dominant narrative. This article argues that renewed dialogue, economic pragmatism, and people-to-people exchanges are equally vital for long-term stability. Drawing on historical precedents and current developments, it outlines practical pathways to reduce risks and rebuild trust.
Written by Rose Kuo and Rachel Levine. The article is the first in this special issue in collaboration with the Center for Taiwan Studies (CTS) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. It recapitulates a talk by Dr. Pei-Chia Lan, hosted by CTS. Focusing on children of immigrant marriage migrants and their children, Dr. Lan examines identity struggles, social stigma, and geopolitical impacts. Her research highlights Taiwan’s evolving multicultural landscape and advocates for inclusive policies that support immigrant families and promote societal integration.
Written by Wen-Qing (Sarah) Jiang. This article studies the increasing use of cognitive tactics in information operations by China and Russia. The internal political polarisation makes Taiwan and the EU especially vulnerable to these campaigns. The article contrasts the responses of Taiwan and Transnistria to cognitive warfare, highlighting the importance of a resilient government and a vibrant civil society.
Written by Elizabeth Frost. This article examines how Taiwan’s ambitious offshore wind energy development strengthens its collaboration with Europe and shapes its global climate identity. It highlights the significant role of offshore wind in shaping Taiwan’s global image and identity as a responsible actor in addressing climate change.
Written by Filip Křenek. The EU faces new dependencies on U.S. LNG and Chinese clean tech, with the Visegrád Four (V4) particularly exposed to these pressures yet well-positioned to benefit from the green transition. This article argues that Taiwan is advancing its energy transformation and technological edge amid rising geopolitical tensions, creating opportunities for V4-Taiwan collaboration.
Written by Yu-Ping Yang. Facing China’s dominance in the solar panel market, the EU is exploring perovskite solar cells (PSCs) as a strategically important alternative to diversify its supply chain and reduce reliance on China-controlled materials and manufacturing. This article examines the strategic advantages of PSCs and Taiwan’s potential role in building a resilient PSC supply chain for the EU.
Written by Stefan Vladisavljev and Damir Dizdarević. The Western Balkans face the challenge of balancing growing Chinese influence with the need for diversified and resilient partnerships to support their green transition. While limited by diplomatic constraints, Taiwan offers a strategic alternative through cooperation in clean energy and technology that aligns with democratic values and enhances supply chain security.
Written by Blanca Marabini San Martín. As the EU accelerates its green transition, securing stable and sustainable access to critical minerals will remain a central challenge. This article argues that EU-Taiwan collaboration can support shared climate goals and enhance both parties’ roles in the global green economy.
Written by Dr Chieh-chi Hsieh. This article asks the question of whether Trump’s tariffs on Taiwan signal a potential divergence of his foreign policy on cross-Strait relations. It argues that although the country needs to remain cautious, the long-term impact might be less severe than one expects. Recent developments suggest that the Trump administration has not altered its foreign policy.
Written by Yun-Chieh Wang. This article analyses the potential impact of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on the Taiwanese sectors with high value of export to the US, and the impact on the Taiwan-US trade relationship. With the strong economic ties between Taiwan and the United States, it is undeniable that the additional tariff imposed by the Trump administration would affect Taiwanese exports negatively.
Written by Alexander C. Tan. This article argues that Taiwan finds itself in a uniquely vulnerable position in the shifting landscape of international trade. The Taiwanese economy is heavily reliant on international trade. Taiwan is also excluded from major regional trade agreements such as the RCEP and CPTPP, limiting its options for diversifying trade relationships and mitigating the impact of tariffs.
Written by Tom Meinderts. This article discusses the effects of Trump’s tariffs and the options available for Taiwan’s trade policies. Given the importance of the US market for Taiwan’s semiconductors, it is unsurprising that Taiwan has already started negotiations to lower the tariffs. As other options remain unattractive, these negotiations may become the most important in Taiwanese history.
Taiwan Insight 