Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes
Porcupine play: How Taiwan defends its democracy
Apr 4, 2025
Janka Oertel, head of ECFR’s Asia programme, and Camille Grand, a distinguished policy fellow, share fresh insights after their visits to Taipei. They discuss Taiwan's 'porcupine strategy' to deter Chinese aggression and explore parallels with Ukraine's resilience. Their conversation highlights Taiwan's strategic investments, like TSMC’s project in Arizona, as it navigates a complex relationship with the U.S. and China, while emphasizing Europe's role in supporting democratic allies in the Indo-Pacific.
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Quick takeaways
- Taiwan is adopting a 'porcupine strategy' to enhance its military resilience against China by increasing defense spending and investing in advanced technologies.
- The shifting U.S. political landscape necessitates Taiwan's proactive engagement with supportive American figures to ensure continuous strategic backing amid uncertainty.
Deep dives
Taiwan's Strategic Position and Responses
Taiwan faces significant challenges in dealing with the increasing military threats from China, particularly evident with recent military drills aimed at discouraging Taiwanese independence. In response, Taiwan is enhancing its defense spending to strengthen its military capabilities, aiming to increase expenditures from 2.45% to 3.5% of GDP. The government is adopting a 'porcupine strategy,' developing technologies and systems to make any potential invasion costly for China. This includes investing in advanced weaponry and creating economic ties with the U.S., exemplified by the significant investment made by TSMC in Arizona, thus fostering a relationship that goes beyond mere defense dependency.
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