On Friday, August 15, CAPRI hosted a closed-door expert roundtable on Taiwan’s resilience with a delegation from the Brookings Institution and Taiwanese experts on foreign and economic policy, cross-Strait relations, disaster preparedness, public health, and disinformation. This inaugural discussion marks a new chapter of collaboration as CAPRI becomes the first Asian think tank to formalize an institutional partnership with Brookings.
The roundtable began with a broad overview of the first eight months of the Trump administration. In this short period, the Trump administration has caused profound global change, prompting soul-searching not only among Democrats in Washington but in capitals around the world. For the EU, negotiating with the US as a bloc shielded small states from high tariff burdens and enabled the EU to focus on growing its defense industrial base to support Ukraine. The experts suggested that smaller democracies, from Europe to the Asia Pacific, can increase international collaboration, seek partners in other regions, and strengthen domestic leadership by enhancing communication between leaders and their electorates. Extraordinary change requires new and innovative policy solutions and adaptation.
For Taiwan, adapting to the new world order is a difficult challenge with high stakes as the island confronts both internal and external tests to its resilience. Taiwan faces an existential threat from China and an unpredictable United States, which is losing trust among Taiwanese. Expanding Taiwan’s international relationships as the US rebuffs traditional multilateral alliances and partnerships will be necessary, but it remains difficult.
From economic competitiveness to health security, disaster preparedness, and information integrity, Taiwan’s ability to advance its resilience through global collaboration is tied to US leadership, support, and engagement in international affairs. Taiwan has long looked to the US for support and partnership—whether in disaster preparation and recovery or scientific discovery—and the absence of the US not only undermines Taiwan’s resilience but limits global scientific and technological advancement. The Trump administration’s distrust of science harms civil society worldwide, leaving gaps in funding, partnership, and research that must be filled. China is well poised to step in and strengthen its ability to shape global norms and discourse, further threatening Taiwan’s interests and ability to adapt to a changing world.
Trump’s use of geoeconomic tools, including tariffs, to achieve policy objectives has significantly impacted Taiwan and highlighted vulnerability in Taiwan’s economic model. Although GDP is projected to grow in 2025, Taiwanese industry will likely undergo layoffs in 2026 as outbound investment to the US increases, negatively impacting Taiwan’s ability to recruit talent and remain competitive. While Taiwan currently faces tariffs of 20%, the experts warned that uncertainty remains high because the Trump administration will continue to wield geoeconomic tools to achieve policy objectives.
In addition to external challenges, Taiwan faces internal political polarization that can compromise its resilience and ability to respond to global unpredictability. Internal polarization in Taiwan is exacerbated by US unreliability; the best approach to maintaining Taiwan’s relationship with the US has long been a contentious issue across the political spectrum in Taiwan. Some argue that the US is the strongest partner Taiwan has, while others are increasingly wary of reliance on the United States, citing concerns that the Trump administration’s policies will undermine Taiwan’s economic competitiveness. These debates are frustrated by the Trump administration’s rewriting of conventional narratives on US-Taiwan relations; this means that Taiwan’s policymakers need fresh perspectives that overcome partisan divisions on how to approach the US. One expert underscored that Taiwanese must come together internally to reject antagonism, recognize common challenges, and jointly face global uncertainty.
Although Taiwan’s challenges are not unique, the island is at the forefront of compounding stresses as it faces increasing pressure from China and an unpredictable US. To be resilient in the face of these trials, Taiwan must build international partnerships with allies in addition to the US and, critically, forge consensus across the political spectrum on policy priorities to move toward meaningful policymaking. Taiwan does not have the luxury of waiting for the US to recalibrate its policies; failure to act could jeopardize Taiwan’s ability to decide its own future.
Taiwan’s answer to ongoing pressures has critical implications for the Asia Pacific region, where countries are facing many of the same challenges. By working together, stakeholders regionwide can enhance security as well as advance science, grow economic partnerships, and promote innovative policymaking. The fates of Asia-Pacific countries are intrinsically linked as they must come together to face tumultuous times.
