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Since 2021, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration has aimed to reduce trade dependence on mainland China, shifting significantly to the United States. However, this strategy appears to have "backfired" with President Donald Trump's imposing a 32 percent reciprocal tariff.

Lai Administration's Single-Minded U.S. Reliance Resulted in Betrayal

 

Recently, President Donald Trump of the United States announced the imposition of "reciprocal tariffs" on various countries, with Taiwan listed among the "worst offenders," facing a 32 percent tariff. Compared to Japan's 24 percent, South Korea's 26 percent, and Singapore's 10 percent, Taiwan's burden is significantly heavier, second only to China's 34 percent. This drastic increase in costs for Taiwanese exports to the United States severely undermines the competitiveness of Taiwan's industries.

The DPP is embroiled in a spy scandal, leading to the collapse of legitimacy for major recalls and disintegration of the "counter China to protect Taiwan" narrative.

Series of Espionage Scandals Reveal Spies Are Actually DPP Members

 

Amid the possibility of a People's Liberation Army (PLA) blockade of Taiwan, an energy crisis has emerged, exposing the fragile reality of insufficient energy—a situation likened to the "elephant in the room."

PLA Military Exercises Directly Exploit Taiwan's Vulnerabilities

 

The English idiom “The Elephant in the Room” refers to an obvious problem or truth that everyone deliberately avoids discussing. It symbolizes collective silence, where people, despite being fully aware of an issue, choose to ignore it because it is too sensitive or troublesome to address.

In Taiwan today, more and more issues have become like the "elephant in the room"—well-known but rarely spoken of. One pressing question that weighs heavily on many minds yet is seldom openly debated is: If mainland China encircles Taiwan, how long can Taiwan's energy supply last? Rational discussions have become even more difficult, especially in the current tense and oppressive atmosphere.

The PLA conducted military exercises against Taiwan for two consecutive days, claiming that the drills were a punishment for pro-independence provocations by the administration of President Lai Ching-te. The focus included verification and identification, warning and expulsion, interception and seizure, with the Yongan LNG receiving station as a hypothetical target.

 

March 30:

The first of the 66 F-16C/D (Block 70) fighter jets purchased by Taiwan has been completed in the United States and is expected to be operational in Taiwan by the end of next year. Due to delays caused by the war in Ukraine and the pandemic, the U.S. delivery schedule is significantly behind. The Ministry of National Defense stated that it will ensure that all deliveries are completed by the end of 2026 through the U.S.-Taiwan security cooperation mechanism.

 

March 30:

Kuomintang (KMT) Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling requested information on grain reserves and supply locations from the Ministry of Agriculture but was accused by Premier Cho Jung-tai of having ulterior motives. Cho even instructed all ministries that any future requests from Weng must be approved by the Executive Yuan. The opposition questioned this, arguing that classified documents should follow the procedures outlined in the National Secrets Protection act and that the Executive Yuan cannot evade oversight by refusing to provide information.

 

April 1: 

Sheng Chu-ying, an assistant to Yu Shyi-kun, former speaker of the Legislative Yuan, was accused of being infiltrated by mainland China and allegedly provided sensitive national security information multiple times since 2019 in exchange of millions of New Taiwan dollars. Prosecutors released sheng on bail after investigation. Sheng previously worked in the offices of five DPP legislators. According to media reports, four defendants have been identified in this case, including Wu Shang-yu, an advisor to the Office of the President.

 

April 1: 

A major judicial scandal erupted. Economic offender Chung Wen-chih, sentenced to a heavy penalty for manipulating Taiwan depositary receipts (TDRs), fled while on bail before serving his sentence. The opposition revealed that the High Court panel last year allowed Chung to extend his bail without prolonging electronic monitoring and did not announce the ruling. The opposition accused the court of deliberately releasing an economic offender with close ties to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration. The High Court later lied, attempting to shift blame to the prosecution and allegedly forged documents to evade responsibility. This case has caused an uproar in legal circles.

April 2:

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted military exercises against Taiwan for two consecutive days, claiming the drills were a punishment for pro-independence provocations by the administration of President Lai Ching-te. On the first day, nearly 100 sorties of aircraft and ships were deployed, including eight vessels from the Shandong aircraft carrier group, with the Shandong entering Taiwan's response zone for the first time. On the second day, the exercise, code-named "Strait Thunder 2025A," focused on verification and identification, warning and expulsion, interception and seizure, and other subjects. Live-fire drills simulated precision strikes on key Taiwan's ports, with the Yongan liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving station as a hypothetical target.

 

April 2:

Ko Wen-je, former chairman of the Taiwan People's Party detained and barred from meeting visitors on corruption charges, was hospitalized for surgery due to ureteral stones and left kidney hydronephrosis. His sister, Ko Mei-lan, questioned why the family was only notified of the surgery the night before, with no information on the cause or treatment. His wife Chen Pei-chi also criticized the complete loss of Ko's medical rights. Ko was hospitalized under guard three times due to hematuria and suspected kidney damage. His legal team unsuccessfully appealed for the suspension of detention on human rights grounds.

 

April 2:

Electronics manufacturing giant Wistron announced its first large-scale AI product manufacturing base in the United States, establishing a new subsidiary, WIUS. The company plans to invest up to $50 million to acquire land and facilities. Simultaneously, the company launched the largest overseas fundraising initiative in its history, planning to issue up to 250,000 ordinary shares of Global Depository Receipts (GDR), valued at NT$25.2 billion (about US$757 million).

 

April 2:

President Donald Trump of the United States announced reciprocal tariffs, imposing a 32 percent tariff on Taiwan. Bloomberg economists estimate that this will lead to a 3.8 percent decline in Taiwan's gross domestic product (GPD). The Executive Yuan expressed strong disapproval, calling it highly unreasonable and stating that it will lodge a formal protest.