Episode 46: Taiwan, Semi-Conductors, and Cross-Strait Relations with Dr Roy Chun Lee

In this episode of Trade Policy Decoded, Pru and Peter host Dr Roy Chun Lee, former Deputy Foreign Minister for Taiwan and current Senior Deputy Executive Director at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research.

In tracing recent developments facing Taiwan’s position in the global system, this episode explores how the unfolding boom in Artificial Intelligence is interacting with Taiwan’s dominance in the production of semiconductor chips. Although not immune to the effects of the United States’ changing trade policies, Dr Lee explains both the factors underpinning Taiwan’s economic growth and success in producing semiconductors, as well as the potential future of exports in one of the world’s most important commodities.

The discussion also delves into ongoing cross-strait tensions and how Taiwan perceives developments and its relationship with Beijing. While economic and political conditions in China may be uncertain, Dr Lee explains how people-to-people connections and movement between the two countries are invaluable in deciphering China’s trajectory, as well as how this might influence cross-strait relations.

Recorded on August 13 2026