Of the several controversies that surrounded the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games last month, likely none stood out to Taiwan watchers more than the conversation surrounding the confusing and inaccurate name that the island’s Olympic athletes must compete under. The term “Chinese Taipei” came about several years after Taiwan – officially known as the Republic of…
If Taiwan needed any indication of who its real friends are, it has been handed plenty of evidence over the past two months. As the island grappled with a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines and the human and economic costs of a local outbreak that began in mid-May, several like-minded countries have stepped in to help…
In pre-recorded video remarks provided to AmCham Taiwan for its annual Hsieh Nien Fan banquet this year, U.S. Senator Edward Markey lauded the Biden Administration for its attention to upholding the U.S.’ important – if unofficial – relationship with Taiwan. He noted that connections must be deepened at the working levels as well, emphasizing that…
Last month, Central Bank of the Republic of China (CBC) Governor Yang Chin-long spoke to lawmakers regarding the U.S. possibly labeling Taiwan a currency manipulator, one of the criteria for which is a trade surplus with the U.S. of more than US$20 billion. Yang noted that the U.S. market has become increasingly reliant on Taiwan…
Taiwan has often found itself underestimated or overlooked by the rest of the world – sometimes mistaken for Thailand or considered largely through the prism of China’s view of the island. Lately, however, Taiwan has been coming in for unaccustomed international attention. Over the past 14 months, its government’s early action and skillful handling of…
As newly inaugurated President Joseph R. Biden Jr. took office last month, many questions remained about what direction U.S.-Taiwan relations would take under his leadership. While Biden and his Cabinet picks did espouse strong support for Taiwan policy during his presidential campaign, most observers agree that the opening months of his presidency will mostly be…
Given the importance for Taiwan of its relationship with the U.S., a pending change in administration in Washington always sets off intense speculation on the island as to what to expect from the incoming American government. This year, with Joe Biden about to replace Donald Trump in the White House, there has been even more…
A discussion currently underway in American foreign policy circles focuses on how best to define the potential U.S. response to a military attack on Taiwan. Washington’s longstanding approach to the matter has been called “strategic ambiguity” – a vague statement of support for Taiwan in the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) but no explicit commitment to…
Recent progress in tightening the U.S.-Taiwan relationship has been stunning. Developments have included high-profile visits to Taipei by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, as well as the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment. Additional major military sales are reportedly in the offing, following Taiwan’s August purchase of…
Besides making Taiwan one of the safest places on Earth, the Tsai administration’s adept handling of the COVID-19 crisis has brought additional benefits in the diplomatic sphere. Most notably, Taiwan’s public health achievements in the face of the coronavirus provided the rationale for last month’s visit to Taipei by U.S. Secretary of Health and Human…
