July 13:
Amid ongoing U.S.-Taiwan tariff negotiations, Reuters revealed that CPC Corporation is discussing the acquisition of shale gas production assets in the United States. CPC previously invested $1 billion in overseas shale gas projects, and if this investment is confirmed, the amount will be even higher. CPC did not deny the report, stating that evaluations are indeed underway.
July 14:
Given that reciprocal tariff negotiations between the United States and various countries remain unsettled, the resulting uncertainty has affected Taiwan's stock market and investor confidence. The National Stabilization Fund decided not to exit the market and will continue supporting Taiwan stocks. Since entering the market in April, the fund has injected over NT$7.7 billion (about US$262 million).
July 14:
During the Legislative Yuan's review of Constitutional Court justice nominees Chen Tzu-yang and Chan Chen-jung, both stated in response to lawmakers' questions that advocating communism or territorial division constitutes political speech and should be respected as free expression. Regarding the Mainland Affairs Council's (MAC) demand that mainland Chinese spouses residing in Taiwan submit proof of loss of original nationality or risk losing their residency status, Chan directly criticized the policy as a human rights violation.
July 15:
Media reports indicate that President Lai Ching-te plans to visit Taiwan's three diplomatic allies in Central and South America, including Paraguay, Guatemala, and Belize, in August. He will transit through New York and Dallas, Texas, in the United States, where he is expected to announce expanded investment plans. The report notes that President Lai is resolute about transiting through the United States, making it a key priority this year.
July 15:
The Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation (TPOF) released its latest poll showing 42.9 percent approval and 44.5 percent disapproval of President Lai's governance, a 5.8 percentage point drop in approval compared to the previous survey. TPOF Chairman You Ying-lung stated that President Lai's popularity has reached one of its lowest points since taking office, indicating that he has clearly entered a period of governing difficulty.
July 17:
For the first time, the urban resilience exercise integrated both the "Min'an" and "Wan'an" drills. During an unscripted war game in Taipei, 24 foreign mission representatives, including Director Raymond Greene of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), attended as observers. Urban warfare is a key focus in the Han Kuang military exercise this year, but several minor collisions occurred during troop movements in city streets.
July 17:
The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) held its earnings call, reporting NT$398.2 billion (about US$13.5 billion) in net profit after tax for the second quarter, its most profitable quarter ever. The results highlight the surge in AI demand and urgent need for TSMC's advanced manufacturing processes. Chairman C. C. Wei revealed that demand from AI chip clients remains strong in the second half of the year, with annual revenue growth projected to reach 30 percent.
July 17:
To counter the impact of U.S. reciprocal tariffs, the Legislative Yuan under opposition party majority passed the "Special Act to Strengthen Economic, Social, and Consumer Resilience in Response to international Developments" in its third reading. The act includes a national defense resilience budget, eliminates NT$100 billion (about US$3.4 billion) in subsidies for the Taiwan Power Company, and adds a universal cash handout of NT$10,000 (about US$340) per person, totaling NT$545 billion (about US$18.5 billion). Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that issuing the cash handout would require borrowing, which has caused internal conflict, but he did not clarify whether he would seek reconsideration. | 
