Taiwan’s exports to the US in the first quarter beat shipments sent to mainland China, with analysts pointing to a ‘strategic plan’ by Washington to construct and lead a world supply chain and market order.

William Lai Ching-te’s ministerial team is expected to show Lai has no desire to alter cross-strait status quo: analysts.

Next government has signalled it will continue current policy of diversifying trade links and developing core industries, including cybersecurity and defence

The trip by Hau Lung-bin, a former mayor of Taipei, to take part in a tribute in Zhengzhou to the Yellow King will come as former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou finishes an 11-day ‘journey of peace’ to the mainland.

Researchers have released their findings on the likely devastating responses taken by G7 countries as well as mainland China if tensions over Taiwan turned for the worse.

Geopolitical tensions, coupled with a weakened and more uncertain business environment on the mainland, continue to take a toll on investor confidence among Taiwanese investors.

Mainland China is seeking to further integrate with Taiwan economically after Taiwanese approved investments fell to a 22-year-low in 2023.

Taiwan exports grew by a mere 1.3 per cent in February, though it still represented a fourth straight month of gains after having slipped for most of 2023.

Orders by value topped US$48 billion last month, and these also include purchases of semiconductors, electronics for cars, and electric vehicle components.

Hsia says he has no plans to meet mainland officials but is open to the possibility and would express condolences over the death of two mainland fishermen near Quemoy

Following many lucrative years in California, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen has come back to his home of Taiwan to build bridges between the island’s tech talent and the experience and resources of Silicon Valley.

Taiwan’s exports expanded for a third straight month in January, with shipments of electronic components rising by 7.5 per cent compared to a year earlier.

Investments in Taiwan from the United States reached US$932 million last year, up from US$398 million in 2022 and hitting the highest single-year total since 2008, according to official Taiwan figures.

December was not kind to Taiwanese manufacturers, and for all of 2023 the island’s export orders shed 15.9 per cent, year on year, to US$561 billion.

Aiming to plug a talent shortage, Taiwan has extended the period foreign university students are allowed to stay on the island after graduating to search for a job to two years.

With cross-strait relations at their frostiest in years, Taiwan reported historic lows for two-way investment with mainland China – but some companies are still attempting to set up or continue operations.

Observers said Tsai’s record on cross-strait relations, which deteriorated during her time in office, could create challenges for Lai, whose pro-independence stance might make him less willing to compromise with Beijing.

‘China and other countries must also cherish’ Taiwan’s role in global chip industry, Lai says after victory on Saturday.

Joint policy paper from two ministries, top planners and Taiwan Affairs Office comes four months after Beijing outlined ‘interconnected living’ plan for Fujian province and Taiwan.

Taiwan reported a palpable increase in exports in December, partially ameliorating a 2023 characterised by extended periods of decline, in a shift fuelled by what economists said is a jump in demand for high-level computing components.

Mainland China uses import bans and economic ties to send political message to Taiwanese voters while businesses on the island look to sell products elsewhere as they brace for worsening cross-strait tensions.

In this issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look ahead to January 13, when 19 million Taiwanese voters will head to the polls to decide who will take over from Tsai Ing-wen as president of the self-ruled island.

‘One thing is certain: Taiwan independence means war, and insisting on Taiwan independence’ will lead to war sooner or later,’ says Wang Zaixi, former deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

Twelve categories of imports from Taiwan under the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) will be affected from January 1, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said on Thursday.

Taiwan’s export orders last month edged up by 1 per cent from a year ago to US$50.63 billion in November, data released on Wednesday showed.

At the request of Chinese trade associations, the mainland’s Ministry of Commerce conducted an eight-month investigation – and the results are out a month before the island’s presidential election.

Officials from mainland China have proposed enhancing agricultural trade with Taiwan – a potential move greeted with interest by industry players – but doubts weigh heavy as overall relations move from bad to worse.

Export numbers for Taiwan re-entered the plus column after months of contraction and a shorter period of back-and-forth changes, fuelling hopes for protracted growth in 2024.