European nations and Taiwan navigate global turmoil amid escalating conflicts and uncertainties worldwide.
In an era brimming with uncertainty, Europe and Taiwan emerge as the stalwarts of stability, each grappling with unique predicaments. As the U.S. becomes less dependable and China intensifies its pressure on Taiwan, these two strategic democracies find themselves in a delicate dance, desperately seeking resilience and strategic partnerships.
The European Union, once tossed by the anchor of liberal values, now navigates choppy waters. The volatile reign of President Donald Trump has left Washington unpredictable and less trustworthy, fueling a growing divide between the two traditional allies. Simultaneously, China, having grown more assertive, is betting on a distracted or divided world, exploiting opportunities to encroach upon Taiwan. Caught in this complex geopolitical game, Europe and Taiwan cry out for solidarity and mutually beneficial alliances.
The European Parliament, aware of the urgent need for action, has taken bold steps. Official visits to Taipei have continued, and the parliament has consistently advocated for Taiwan's global participation and resilience, particularly through tech collaboration. Yet, these moves, while significant, are not enough. The parliament's diplomatic efforts must be bolstered by member states, whose collective weight is crucial, particularly in countering China's global ambitions.
While member states acknowledge Taiwan's strategic importance, their commitment lacks clarity. Concerns about growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait have been expressed, yet concrete steps to strengthen the partnership remain elusive. As the EU rethinks its approach to China, it is essential that it continues to prioritize Taiwan as a valuable partner. This requires investment in strategic autonomy, consistency in action, and clear, decisive language.
Taiwan, a vibrant, resilient democracy and global leader in technology, offers Europe stability, predictability, and a reliable ally in the global contest between openness and authoritarianism. To tap into this partnership's full potential, the EU should institutionalize annual parliamentary visits to Taiwan, expand educational and research cooperation, and consider serious conversations about a bilateral investment agreement. This is not a question of recognizing Taiwan as a state, but rather of embracing it as a strategic and indispensable ally, sharing democratic values and complementing economic needs.
For Taiwan, this is an opportune moment to diversify its global alliances. Europe, with its commitment to democracy, stability, and policy consistency, presents an attractive alternative to the chaos that defines US politics. But Taiwan must proactively engage, seizing the potential for deepening ties in areas like semiconductors, AI, green energy, and foreign information manipulation.
In a world fraught with crumbling certainties, Europe and Taiwan must learn to see each other clearly, beyond the fog of China or the U.S., recognizing the value in their shared democratic values, economic interdependence, and mutual need for resilience. Together, they can navigate the tense Indo-Pacific landscape with poise and purpose, shaping a future defined by stability, democracy, and progress.
Simona Grano, head of the Research Area China-Taiwan Relations, and Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, assistant professor at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan, provide expert insights into the complexities and opportunities inherent in this budding strategic partnership.
Enrichment Data:
The EU's actions and initiatives to strengthen its strategic partnership with Taiwan are grounded in shared democratic values, economic interdependence, and the need for resilient supply chains, especially in critical technologies like semiconductors.
Political and Diplomatic Initiatives:- The European Parliament has taken a proactive role by institutionalizing annual parliamentary visits to Taiwan to ensure consistent political dialogue and support.- The Parliament has also issued resolutions affirming Taiwan's right to participate meaningfully in international organizations and condemning China's military provocations and disinformation campaigns directed at Taiwan.- The EU continues to press for Taiwan's meaningful involvement in international forums, emphasizing Taiwan's role as a responsible global player despite diplomatic pressures from China.
Economic and Technological Cooperation:- Taiwan is the EU's 13th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching €77.7 billion in 2023.- The EU recognizes Taiwan's crucial role in the global semiconductor supply chain, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) owning a dominant market share.- The EU is expanding cooperation with Taiwan to build more resilient and secure supply chains in semiconductors, AI, and green energy.- The EU promotes expanded educational and research cooperation with Taiwan, including youth exchanges and institutional partnerships, to deepen mutual understanding and innovation capacity.
Strategic and Security Dimensions:- The EU has begun to articulate more clearly its strategic narrative regarding Taiwan, focusing on setting clear priorities and consistent pursuit of policies to bolster critical technology development and supply chain security with trusted partners like Taiwan.- Both sides emphasize their democratic values and commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific, seeing their relationship as a counterbalance to China's assertiveness.- Taiwan views the EU as a key democratic partner in the region, and EU institutions are urged to evaluate and enhance their roles in supporting this partnership.
The European Parliament's advocacy for Taiwan's global participation and resilience, particularly through tech collaboration, is grounded in the shared democratic values and economic interdependence between the two. Simultaneously, the EU's push for Taiwan's meaningful involvement in international forums stems from recognizing Taiwan as a responsible global player despite diplomatic pressures from China.
The expanding cooperation between the EU and Taiwan in critical technologies like semiconductors and green energy is instrumental in building more resilient and secure supply chains. This cooperation is further bolstered by the EU's promotion of expanded educational and research cooperation with Taiwan, fostering mutual understanding and innovation capacity.
