Two Years Into Term, Lai Faces Political Divisions, Pressure From China
As President Lai Ching-te completes his second year in office, Taiwan’s political divisions remain sharp. An opposition-led impeachment motion failed in the legislature, highlighting the challenges Lai faces governing without a majority. His administration has struggled to pass key policies, including a major defense spending plan aimed at countering pressure from China. At the same time, Beijing has intensified efforts to squeeze Taiwan’s diplomatic space. Despite the political turbulence, Taiwan’s economy has surged on the back of semiconductor and AI demand, with strong GDP growth boosting the island’s global profile ahead of local elections later this year.
