Economy

Pegatron Chairman Tung Tzu-hsien recently said the company also aims to expand its production capacity in Taiwan. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Trade war

Pegatron shifts from China to Indonesia as trade war bites

Leading iPhone assembler accelerates diversification strategy

5 December 2018
The government of President Tsai Ing-wen is keen to lure companies back to Taiwan. (Original photos by Getty Images and Kyodo)
The Big Story

Trade war traps Taiwan between two superpowers

G-20 'truce' seen as temporary as U.S. hard-liners lead talks

5 December 2018
The U.S. Justice Department has indicted two Chinese and Taiwanese companies for stealing intellectual property from Micron Technology.
The Big Story

US hits back at China over IP theft in chip case

Taiwanese companies pressured to choose sides in trade secrets spat

5 December 2018
Stream article image
3 December 2018
Kaohsiung Mayor-elect Han Kuo-yu, who described himself as a "bald guy who sells vegetables" during the campaign, celebrates his victory on Nov. 25.
Politics

Taiwan's new 'CEO mayor' plays up economic goals over China ties

Han Kuo-yu of the pro-Beijing Kuomintang stunned the president's party in Kaohsiung

1 December 2018
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announces her resignation as chairwoman of the Democratic Progressive Party after the party's heavy losses in Saturday's midterms
Politics

Beijing likely meddled in Taiwan elections, US cybersecurity firm says

Chinese hackers probably used cyber operations to help pro-China Kuomintang

28 November 2018
Opposition Kuomintang candidate Han Kuo-yu won in the Democratic Progressive Party's stronghold of Kaohsiung. He plans to create a team dedicated to cross-strait exchanges.
Politics

Pro-China forces in Taiwan buoyed by ruling party's poll drubbing

President Tsai Ing-wen steps down as DPP leader after series of midterm losses

26 November 2018
Eclat decided to stop production in China in 2016 when it noticed that the investment environment was deteriorating and it was hard to find qualified workers.
Trade war

Nike apparel supplier Eclat sees growth opportunity in trade spat

Taiwan's leading sportswear maker sees strong trend of production shift from China

24 November 2018
Illustration by Kyoko Nemoto
Asia Insight

Taiwan caught in US-China diplomatic crossfire

The risk of a miscalculation triggering a confrontation is real

20 November 2018
Upcoming votes cast a shadow on the hopes of homosexuals in Taiwan to marry their partners
Politics

Same-sex marriage rights in Taiwan at risk in referendums

Conservatives seek to limit freedom of homosexuals to wed in Nov. 24 votes

18 November 2018
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-Wen's special envoy Morris Chang, former chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., is expected to ask Japan to back the island's bid to join the TPP.
Economy

Taiwan envoy to ask Japan to back island's bid for TPP membership

US-China tension is here to stay: Taiwanese top economic official

9 November 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing last year.
International relations

A shaken Asia awaits America's midterm verdict on Trump

A 'blue wave' would embolden Democrats to push back against the president's Asia policies

6 November 2018
Formosa Plastics makes raw plastics as well as petrochemical and electronics materials that are used by companies in a broad range of industries. (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
Trade war

Formosa Plastics foresees holiday gloom as orders slow

Bellwether petrochemical group says trade war saps market confidence

6 November 2018
One concern for Asia last month was slowing semiconductor demand, with key producers citing a softer supply-demand balance.
Trade war

October PMI shows Asia's winners and losers of US-China trade war

Taiwan continues to plunge while Vietnam shows no sign of a slowdown

5 November 2018
Stream article image
1 November 2018
Acer, the world's No. 4 PC maker, has matched the 10% tariffs that the U.S. has imposed on goods imported from China, raising desktop computer prices by the same percentage.
Trade war

PC price increases 'inevitable' next year, Acer founder says

Father of Taiwan's computer industry warns US tariffs will hit consumers

30 October 2018
The share prices of Asia's major chip players have taken a big hit in recent months.
Trade war

Asian chip share rout provides strong indication of a tough 2019

Semiconductor industry braces for slowdown as trade war creates overhang

28 October 2018
Rescue workers at the accident site in Yilan County.
Economy

Taiwan's 7th derailment in 2 years raises red flags

Safety measures seen insufficient at cash-strapped public rail company

24 October 2018
TSMC, the world's biggest contract chipmaker, supplies advanced processors for iPhones.   © Courtesy of TSMC
Companies

Apple supplier TSMC cuts growth target again on trade worries

Cryptocurrency downturn adds to troubles for world's top chip foundry

18 October 2018
The Philippines moved up 12 rungs to 56th place in World Economic Forum's The Global Competitiveness Index 4.0. 
Economy

Philippines and India rise in global competitiveness

World Economic Forum evaluates improvements in infrastructure and innovation

17 October 2018
Taiwan hopes to strengthen ties with the U.S. by importing more soybeans from American farmers, who voted heavily for Donald Trump in 2016.
Trade war

Taiwan courts Trump by boosting soybean imports from US

Farm states are a key battleground in the American midterm elections

17 October 2018
A collision on a high-speed train in Wenzhou, China, in 2011 killed 40 people.
Business trends

Catalyst or catastrophe? Lessons from Asia's high-speed rail failures

Spurring growth with ambitious projects requires far more than financing

14 October 2018
Christmas shoppers walk outside the Apple Store on Regent Street in London. Apple suppliers are bracing for a frosty holiday season this year. (Getty Images)
Companies

Smartphone suppliers brace for cheerless holiday

US-China trade war threatens to spoil all-important Christmas season

12 October 2018
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, right, and Legislative Yuan Speaker Su Chia-chyuan wave during National Day celebrations in front of the Presidential Building in Taipei on Wednesday
International relations

Taiwan seeks to boost standing by exploiting China belligerence

Island seeks stronger ties with large democracies as it loses formal allies

10 October 2018
New cars for export at the Tanjung Priok Car Terminal in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Trade war

Weaker Asian currencies fail to lift manufacturers' exports

September PMI survey shows rising purchase cost remains key threat to the region

10 October 2018