U.S. expansion 結果共9筆

U.S. Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink highlights cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan, alongside allies Tuvalu, Palau, and the Marshall Islands, to counter China’s expansion. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee discusses U.S. strategies for the Pacific islands, focusing on American and Chinese influence in the region, with references to Taiwan’s diplomatic status and China’s economic incentives to influence Nauru. The U.S. warns Nauru and Taiwan’s allies against China’s unfulfilled promises, with efforts like the Taiwan International Solidarity Act to counter China’s manipulation of Taiwan’s international role.

China announces a 7.2% increase in its defense budget for the year, reaching 1.67 trillion yuan (US$231 billion), signaling significant military expansion. Comparatively, this figure dwarfs Taiwan’s budget, amidst global rises in military spending.

Taiwan’s export performance reached a historic high from 2021 to 2023, but experienced a 9.8% decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the Ministry of Finance. Despite this setback, exports to the U.S. continued to soar with a 49.7% year-on-year increase, while exports to countries covered by Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy also saw significant growth. However, exports to mainland China decreased to 35.2%. Taiwan’s total export tally for 2023 amounted to US$432.48 billion, ranking behind only 2022 and 2021. The demand for communications and electronic products during the pandemic-induced work-from-home trend boosted Taiwan’s exports. The Taiwan Institute of Economic Research predicted significant international trade growth in 2024, which would benefit export-oriented economies like Taiwan. In December 2023, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. reached $8.49 billion, and exports to southern countries surged by over 50%. However, due to the limited coverage of free trade agreements (FTAs), many traditional Taiwanese industries chose to restructure risks and production in Southeast and South Asia. The return of Taiwanese businesses and the expansion of local factories after the U.S.-China trade war, as well as global economic circumstances, significantly impacted the decline in 2023 exports. The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated the first-quarter export volume for 2024 to be around US$106.1 billion, which is an improvement compared to the same period in 2023, but a 10% decrease from 2022.

TSMC chairman Mark Liu’s upcoming retirement in 2024 has led investment experts to suggest that the semiconductor giant should slow down the progress of its new manufacturing facility in the United States. Industry analyst Jonah Cheng believes that TSMC’s policy direction will remain unchanged under the leadership of chief executive C.C. Wei, who is expected to succeed Liu as chairman. Cheng also proposes maintaining a dual leadership structure to cultivate successors from various backgrounds. Speculation suggests that Liu’s retirement may be linked to potential investment challenges in the company’s U.S. expansion. In response to these challenges, Cheng recommends a deceleration in the construction of TSMC’s second U.S. plant. He also highlights the need to assess the current downturn in the car market and economic outlook before proceeding with the German plant focused on automotive applications. Cheng suggests that the Japanese facility could be an optimal choice due to labor and power shortages in Taiwan, as well as cultural similarities and strong government support from Japan. TSMC’s primary obstacle, according to Cheng, is maintaining its leadership position in the semiconductor industry, especially after surpassing Intel. Additionally, the cyclical nature of the industry and the potential opportunities presented by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications pose further challenges for the company.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has received formal notification from the U.S. government about the sale of tactical information systems worth approximately US＄300 million. This arms deal, the twelfth from the Biden administration to Taiwan since 2021, demonstrates the U.S.’s commitment to Taiwan’s defense needs. MOFA expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s continued fulfillment of its security commitments in accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances. The sale includes equipment, training, and technical support, which will enhance Taiwan’s national defense and deterrence capabilities. MOFA reiterated Taiwan’s determination to strengthen its self-defense capabilities, safeguard its territory, and preserve its democratic and free way of life in the face of China’s military expansion and provocation. The foreign ministry also emphasized the deepening security partnerships with the U.S. to uphold a rules-based international order and ensure peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Chinese companies are increasingly establishing supply chains in Vietnam as U.S. companies like Apple move production there, according to Japanese media reports. Export restrictions on advanced semiconductors and semiconductor production equipment to China by the Biden Administration have led to difficulties for Chinese manufacturers, prompting a shift in investment towards alternative manufacturing bases like Vietnam. Approved foreign direct investment in Vietnam increased by 15% from January to November 2023, with Chinese investment, including from Hong Kong and Macao, doubling from the previous year. Chinese investment in Vietnam is even higher when routed through subsidiaries based in Singapore and Thailand. Notable investments include Shandong Haohua Tire Co. Ltd.’s US$500 million investment and Trina Solar Co., Ltd.’s US$420 million decision. BYD Company also announced an expansion investment of US$144 million, bringing its total investment in Vietnam to over US$400 million. Japanese experts believe that Chinese enterprises must engage in joint advancements in cutting-edge technology with local entities to be seen as partners by the Vietnamese.

McDonald’s plans to open 10,000 new restaurants by the end of 2027, aiming to attract 100 million additional members. This expansion includes 900 new outlets in the U.S., 1,900 in International Operated Markets (IOM), and around 7,000 in International Developmental Licensed (IDL) markets. The company expects its membership to increase from 150 million to 250 million, driven by the success of its ＂MyMcDonald’s Rewards＂ program, which generated over US$20 billion in sales last year. Currently, McDonald’s operates 41,198 restaurants worldwide, according to its latest quarterly financial report.

The Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) will host the ＂2023 Taipei Security Dialogue＂ on November 8th. Former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Michele Flournoy, and former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor, Matthew Pottinger, will discuss the collective intimidation faced by Indo-Pacific nations. The event will feature virtual speeches focusing on measuring risks and situations in the Taiwan Strait. Scholars and experts from 10 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Czech Republic, and Japan, have been invited to address China’s challenges to global order and democracy. The dialogue will cover six themes, such as the Russo-Ukrainian War’s lessons and strategies for deterring China, implications for cross-strait relations, Chinese military and technological development, China’s global expansion, and a strategic environmental assessment of China. President Tsai Ing-wen is also scheduled to deliver a speech at the event.

Residents near the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) voiced their strong opposition regarding a proposed expansion of the institute at the public hearing held by the Taiwan Council for U.S. Affairs on Wednesday (July 12).