John Deng, Taiwan Minister without Portfolio, in charge of international trade policy coordination, the government agency responsible for international trade negotiations, and former Minister of Economic Affairs, speaks exclusively to Taiwan Talks, alongside Sana Hashimi, Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow, on how the nation is decreasing economic reliance on China by expanding in South and Southeast Asia through its New Southbound Policy.
As one of President Tsai Ing-wen’s key policies since taking office in 2016, the New Southbound Policy aims to enhance cooperation on all fronts with 18 countries in the region. The policy focuses on trade, cultural, talent, security, and other exchanges in building new and improving existing multilateral ties with Taiwan. We take a look at the progress New Southbound has made, including how it has helped Taiwan to find new alliances and potential markets as Taiwanese businesses move out of China. Minister Deng shares his insights on how AI, biotech, healthcare, semiconductors, and other digital technology industries, have made Taiwan a leader in many New Southbound countries. Hashimi also discusses the record 13-fold surge in investments by Taiwanese businesses in their Indian subsidiaries. We also hear from the Thai Representative to Taiwan, Twekiat Janprajak, Thailand Trade and Economic Office Executive Director, on how Taiwan became the top investor in his country, as part of the New Southbound Policy’s continued efforts.
Topics discussed:
- Minister Deng’s work as top trade negotiator: How the Taiwan government is working with the U.S. on bilateral trade, as the U.S. builds alternate supply chains in decoupling from China
- How India is working with Taiwan and the U.S., and other like-minded democracies to deepen technological cooperation given record Taiwanese investment in the country
- With Taiwan and India both widely known for IT talent and competitive wages, will increased cooperation lead to more synergies or competition?
- Could India replace China in becoming the world’s factory?
- Target top countries, industries, and markets in the New Southbound Policy
- Future growth prospects: Taiwanese exports to ASEAN countries surpassed US$70 billion for the first time, with a new high of 32% from 2021
- Potential behind the record surge in investments by Taiwanese companies in India
- Taiwan ‘Soft-Power’: How Taiwan is working with South and Southeast Asia on digital technology, healthcare, and education in expanding ties with Southbound countries
- How China’s aggression is driving India closer to Taiwan
- Closing the gap: Measures the Taiwan government is taking to reduce reliance on the Chinese market through the New Southbound Policy
- Striking differences between Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy and China’s Belt and Road Initiative
25:16
26:15
25:14
26:46
26:45
26:46
26:46
26:46
26:46
26:46
24:47
26:46
26:42
23:41
26:34
27:00