Taiwan's leader wants dialogue with China, but warns of need for stronger defences
president William Lai has marked his first year in office with an offer of dialogue to Beijing and a warning that the self-governing island must strengthen its defences.
Mr Lai said he wanted co-operation, but it must be a dialogue of equals, free of coercion.
'I, too, am committed to peace. Because peace is priceless and war has no winners. But when it comes to seeking peace, we cannot have dreams or illusions,' he said.
'Taiwan is happy to have exchanges and co-operation with
China
as long as there is reciprocal dignity. Using exchanges to replace hemming in, dialogue to replace confrontation.'
READ MORE
Beijing, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan and describes Mr Lai as a separatist, has stepped up military drills around the island since he took office last year.
Mr Lai has taken a more assertive approach to cross-strait relations than his more predecessor Tsai Ing-wen, initiating a security crackdown on advocates for closer ties with the mainland.
His government last March deported three Chinese women, all of whom were married to Taiwanese men, for advocating unification with the mainland by force.
Tens of thousands of opposition supporters demonstrated in the capital Taipei last month, accusing Mr Lai of attempting to initiate a dictatorship and to eliminate democratic freedoms.
He has seen his approval rating fall as he struggles with a parliament where his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not command a majority, with added pressure in the form of an uncertain geopolitical landscape.
The
United States
has long been Taiwan's strongest unofficial ally, but
Donald Trump
has accused the island, which leads the world in producing advanced semiconductors, of 'stealing' the US's microchip industry.
Mr Trump announced a 32 per cent 'reciprocal' tariff on Taiwan before suspending it for 90 days, along with those on most other countries.
On Tuesday Mr Lai played down the implications of Mr Trump's action, which has fuelled fears on the island that the US president could abandon Taiwan as part of a grand bargain with Beijing.
'There are bound to be frictions between friends, but they can eventually be reconciled,' Mr Lai said.
'Even if there are differences of opinion, as long as there is a foundation of trust and sincere dialogue, they can understand each other better and deepen their friendship.'
Mr Lai said the Taiwan government would support firms adversely affected by the tariffs.
He also announced the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to help companies expand globally as part of an effort to counteract Beijing's campaign to discourage its trading partners from doing business with Taiwan.
Mr Lai extended an olive branch to the opposition, announcing that he would instruct his national security team to brief the chairs of the main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP).
The KMT said that one briefing would not solve the island's problems, but it acknowledged that the president had taken 'a small step' towards easing frictions.
'We also hope that president Lai will have more courage and take a big step to stop judicial persecution and political hatred,' the party said.
The KMT, which favours a warmer relationship with Beijing, holds most local government positions as well as controlling the national parliament with the help of the TPP.
Mr Lai's DPP needs to win six seats to regain a parliamentary majority and it has used Taiwan's expansive electoral recall legislation to attempt to unseat 30 KMT legislators.
The KMT targeted 15 DPP legislators for a recall vote, but its campaign ran into controversy amid reports that party activists had forged the signatures of dead people in the petition.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
European leaders to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine with Donald Trump
The leaders of Ukraine and several other European states will discuss potential future security guarantees for the war-torn country with US president Donald Trump on Monday. The meeting follows a summit held in Alaska on Friday between Mr Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin, and claims by a White House envoy that Russia has dropped its opposition to the West providing Nato-style defence pledges to Kyiv. Steve Witkoff said: 'We were able to win the following concession: that the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in Nato.' The Article 5 clause of Nato's founding treaty enshrines the principle of collective defence, the notion that an attack on a single member is considered an attack on them all. READ MORE He told US television on Sunday that this is a 'game changing decision' and 'the first time we had ever heard the Russians agree to that'. He did not provide details of what was discussed. There are concerns among Ukraine's supporters that Volodymyr Zelenskiy could face significant pressure in Washington on Monday, given his February talks with Mr Trump in the Oval Office descended into a shouting match . However, this time he is expected to be accompanied in Washington by the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, the UK and Finland, along with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen . Mr Trump's relations with European leaders can be prickly, and it is notable that the group includes several who he reportedly likes: Italy's Giorgia Meloni , Britain's Keir Starmer , Finland's Alexander Stubb and Mr Rutte of Nato. [ The Irish Times view on the Trump-Putin summit: a shameful day in Alaska Opens in new window ] European leaders who make up the 'coalition of the willing' on Sunday agreed Russia would face more sanctions and wider economic measures if it does not stop its bombardment of Ukraine. Speaking after the virtual conference, which was co-chaired by Mr Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron , Mr Zelenskiy said: 'It is important that America agrees to work with Europe to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.' 'We need security to work in practice like Article 5 of Nato,' he said. Mr Zelenskiy said he also considers EU accession to be 'part of the security guarantees'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who also participated in Sunday's conference, said Ukraine needs 'strong, credible, long-term security guarantees', which means EU membership and sustained support from Europe and the US. [ Ukraine has right to make decisions on its territory, says Taoiseach after Trump comments Opens in new window ] Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there will 'have to be some security guarantees for Ukraine' because 'if this war were to end, they have to make sure this never happens again'. [ Trump pressing Ukraine for a quick deal after failed summit is a clear triumph for Putin Opens in new window ] 'For there (to) be a peace, the Russian side is going to have to accept that Ukraine is a sovereign country that has a right to defend itself and has a right to enter into alliances with other countries to defend itself,' he added. 'What guarantees are built in there that are enforceable, that's what we'll be talking about over the next few days.' Russia's core demands include Ukraine's handover of five regions, agreement to abandon its bid to join Nato and acceptance of other limits on its sovereignty. Kyiv says any such deal would amount to capitulation. The Kremlin has previously rejected the prospect of western peacekeepers overseeing a deal to end the war. The Alaska summit was widely seen as a victory for Mr Putin, because Mr Trump scrapped a threat to impose more heavy sanctions on Russia and dropped demands for an immediate ceasefire in favour of Moscow's call for an overarching agreement to end the war. After the summit, which was lauded by the Kremlin, Mr Trump publicly urged Kyiv to 'make a deal' while reportedly telling Mr Zelenskiy that Russia was demanding the full withdrawal of Ukraine's forces from its Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Irish Examiner
EU braces for wave of Chinese imports as Trump tariffs redirect Shein and Temu sales
With US president Donald Trump pushing to reshape global trade with the imposition of tariffs on foreign products, firms around the world are looking to diversify into different markets while moving away from the US — which cannot be relied upon as a trusted trading partner. For China, the US has been its largest trading partner and as a result, has been the focus of Mr Trump's ire ever since he was sworn back into office. In recent years, the US has become a huge market for low cost products from the likes of online retailers Shein and Temu — who may be seeking alternative destinations for their products given difficult trading conditions with the US. However, both of these companies have been heavily criticised for numerous issues ranging from poor treatment of workers at factories, to producing low quality and environmentally damaging products, as well as products which are unsafe. Alacoque McAlpine, Irish Research Council Government of Ireland scholar at Sutherland School of Law in University College Dublin, who has for years lectured in sustainable supply chain management, said companies like Shein would be considered 'ultra fast fashion' — as they are on another level compared to retailers here such as Penneys, Zara, and H&M to name a few. 'They're not as good quality either. So they're not durable, they don't last, and they're essentially going to landfill,' she said. While the tensions between China and the US may have reduced in recent months, Chinese goods are still subject to a 30% tariff when they arrive in the US. The US is also set to end the de minimis exemption on August 29, which allowed goods valued at $800 (€682) or less to enter the country without any tariffs. Given all these trade barriers with the US, Chinese exporters may turn their eyes towards the EU — where trade relations are less volatile. China is the EU's second largest trading partner for goods after the US. During 2024, the EU imported €519bn worth of goods from China, the vast majority of which were manufactured goods. In a recent analysis, the European Central Bank (ECB) said the trade barriers now in place between the US and China may result in Chinese exports being redirected to the eurozone. It said in 2018, following Mr Trump's imposition of tariffs on China during his first term, this redirection of goods to Europe was 'significant' with the eurozone 'absorbing the trade displaced by US tariffs'. 'Between 2018 and 2019, eurozone imports from China increased by around 2 to 3%,' the analysis said. The ECB said there were several factors that suggest the eurozone could experience a larger redirection of Chinese exports. 'The composition of Chinese exports to the United States and to the eurozone is similar, making the eurozone a natural alternative,' the ECB said. 'Established supply chain links, which have expanded since the last China-US trade war, and ongoing industrial upgrades in China, facilitate the redirection of trade flows. Many euro area firms already rely on Chinese imports, making it easier to absorb redirected goods.' It also pointed out that Chinese businesses have already laid the groundwork for faster market entry into the EU, having 'almost tripled their presence with investments in European sales and distribution networks since 2017'. 'In addition, Chinese authorities have pledged targeted support to help affected exporters redirect sales to domestic or third markets, which could allow for further price cuts,' the ECB said. A crane picks a container from a truck at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) The bank added that increasing exports from China to the eurozone has the potential to exert downward pressure on eurozone inflation through lower import prices. In its upper estimates, the ECB suggests these tariffs could increase imports from China by 10%. While most products that make it to the EU are just made in China by large international companies, the growth of Chinese brands beyond the country's borders is becoming more common. Companies like Shein and Temu are getting a stronger foothold in the EU. Getting an idea of Shein's growing popularity can be difficult as it is a privately-owned company. According to Bloomberg News, during the first quarter of this year, the overall Shein Group reportedly generated global revenue of $10bn, with net income rising to over $400m. This was before Mr Trump implemented tariffs on Chinese imports. The Bloomberg report cited unnamed sources from the company but Shein disputed these figures without elaborating. The clothing retailer, founded in mainland China but headquartered in Singapore, does not disclose its financial figures so it is unclear how Shein fared in the second quarter after tariffs were implemented. Financial documents from Shein's Irish arm Infinite Styles Ecommerce, which handles the company's operations across the EU, show it is having considerable success in the EU. In 2023, the company reported revenue of €7.68bn — up from €4.58bn the year prior. This resulted in profit of just under €100m — up from €45.8m the year before. Also, Shein's sales in Britain, while not being in the EU, has also grown significantly — with the company reporting a 32.3% increase in revenue during its most recent financial year to £2.05bn (€2.374bn). The growth of Shein is being seen as a concern as their low cost products and business practices have been heavily criticised in the past. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to meet with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Ms McAlpine said all the 'slick marketing' from companies like Shein has made 'consumers think that they need to buy the products more frequently, and they kind of treat them as disposable'. 'There is rapid turnover of new products again on a weekly basis. It's mainly polyester based, so there's a huge environmental impact there,' she said. 'Fast fashion has always had a very negative impact on the environment. In the last 20 years, global fibre production has doubled, and it's expected to grow if things continue the way they are. The fashion industry is the second biggest consumer of water industry-wide, it's responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions.' Ms McAlpine said all these textiles are going to the dump because they cannot be recycled, due to being plastic based or mixed fibres. She said: 'Shein is selling a lot of products, and they're selling it very cheaply. How do they do this? Well, they do it by putting a lot of pressure on their suppliers at the end of the supply chain, and then those suppliers put pressure on their workers.' She also said that the growing prevalence of Shein also means that retailers here will also try to stay competitive and as prices fall, it will ultimately hurt the worker who makes the product. 'Prices keep falling, and then the garment factories have to respond to the price pressure, and they will cut the most flexible cost, which is wages,' she said. Ms McAlpine said she doesn't blame the consumer, this is an 'extremely profitable industry' and these companies encourage people to be buying and disposing of their clothes on a regular basis. She said: 'I just don't believe consumers woke up in the morning and decided to spend all our money on this. I believe it's the marketing by the companies that have convinced us. They kind of changed our perception of fashion, and they're really good at making us feel bad about ourselves so we buy more.' Ms McAlpine said there are no international standards in regards to regulating these supply chains and there are no health and safety regulations these firms have to follow when sourcing their products. 'I think regulation is important. All the companies went overseas to take advantage of low-cost wages and lax environmental standards and with no commensurate regulation,' she said, adding that these companies eventually got in trouble for issues such as child labour, not paying workers, and environmental issues. She said some companies tried to impose codes of conduct but this hasn't worked: 'I think we cannot leave it up to the companies. Unfortunately, we need legislation, and the EU has been putting in place legislation, but unfortunately, since the Draghi report last September, they're all about cutting the red tape, and they're deregulating everything.' In a statement, Shein said they operate a 'customer-driven, on-demand business model' that allows the company to meet demand 'while reducing overproduction and waste and maintaining affordability at the same time'. In regards to its supply chain conditions, it said it is committed to 'fostering a safe and fair work environment for all of our suppliers' employees'. The company added that it invests time and money into ensuring workers in its supply chain are 'treated fairly', while working with third-party agencies to monitor compliance with local laws and international standards. Temu, on the other hand, has its own problems. Its owner, PDD Holdings, reported a 47% drop in profit during its first quarter of the year amid local competition and global trade uncertainty. Whaleco Technology Limited is the Irish arm of PDD Holdings for the purpose of doing business in the EU. In its latest available financial documents, from 2023, it generated just under €758m in revenue from its operations, resulting in a profit of €38m. Last month, EU justice commissioner Michael McGrath said he was shocked at the toxicity and dangers of some goods being sold to Temu and Shein amid a crackdown on the retail platforms. Among the worst examples cited by Mr McGrath include baby soothers with beads that fall off easily, which pose a choking hazard because they did not have the regulation size hole to enable a baby who did swallow one accidentally to continue to get air. Other goods cited by MEPs include children's raincoats with toxic chemicals, sunglasses with no UV filter, and kids shorts with draw strings longer than regulation length that cause a trip hazard. There were also concerns about certain banned chemicals in cosmetics. EU figures show 12m low-value items coming into the bloc a day, amounting to 4.6bn during 2024 valued at under €150 — double that of 2023 and three times as many as 2022. In an attempt to combat these low value products surging into the bloc, the EU is considering whether to close its own de minimis exemption, set at €150. They're good at making us feel bad about ourselves so we buy more
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Putin's nuke button, ‘poo briefcase' & army of bodyguards… Giant security op that will go with Vlad for Trump showdown
AS one of the world's most powerful man on Earth, his security entourage will do anything to save his life from bloodthirsty would-be assassins. Vladimir Putin is expected to be surrounded by a high-profile security entourage as the despot with an international arrest warrant steps out of Russia. 10 Russian President Vladimir Putin, surrounded by his bodyguards, leaves the car Credit: Getty 10 Russia's President Vladimir Putin surrounded by bodyguards, as he leaves the Europe-Asia summit in 2014 Credit: Reuters 10 Russian nuclear briefcase was shown for the first time on state televison Credit: Wikipedia 10 The world's eyes will be on Alaska on Friday as leaders of the two superpowers sit down for a showdown that will decide Ukraine's fate. Trump and Vladimir Putin will sit down "one-on-one" at the Elmendorf-Richardson base in Alaska. The Kremlin confirmed key details of the crunch talks - with the showdown kicking off at 11.30am Alaskan time (8.30pm UK time). Putin, who has rarely set foot in a foreign country since begining his invasion of Ukraine in 2023, will be surrounded by his highly-trained bodyguards to ensure maximum protection. The former KGB agent, who has been ruling Russia for 25 years, is said to be obsessed with his security. A Russian official who attended the Victory Day parade on May 9 told The Moscow Times: "The Kremlin takes Vladimir Putin's security very seriously. He is protected by a whole army of visible and invisible guards." Members of ageing Putin's security team, who call themselves his "Musketeers", are said to be from a special unit within Russia's Federal Protective Service (FSO), according to The Economist. Among the many things they are expected to carry are a number of suitcases, but they are not ordinary luggage. Each one comes with a bulletproof protection that can be used as a shield in case shots are fired at Putin. One of them is said to be a "Poo suitcase", which is used to collect his stools and urine and deliver them back to Moscow. Inside remote Alaska ice base where Trump and Putin go head-to-head in CRUCIAL Ukraine war showdown French magazine Paris Match claimed that the bizarre practice was first noted in 2017 during a state visit to France. It is thought that Putin - who over the years has been at the centre of health rumours - does not want outsiders to know his physical condition, which could be studied using his faecal matter. In 2019, a strange video showed paranoid Vlad being accompanied to the bathroom by six male bodyguards during Ukraine peace talks at Paris' Elysee Palace. Putin also likes to carry his dreaded nuclear briefcase dubbed "Cheget". Developed during the 1980s for the Soviet KGB, earlier versions of these were said to have an explosive charge of one kiloton, equivalent to one thousand tons of TNT. That's enough to destroy everything within a half-mile radius. The current version is thought to act as a communication device, relaying orders to launch a nuclear attack. With just the press of a button, the General Staff in Moscow receives the signal and initiates the nuclear attack. 10 Russian President Vladimir Putin's bodyguard carrying special suitcases Credit: EPA 10 The despot is always pictured with suitcases close to him whenever he steps out in public Credit: EPA Meanwhile, Putin's bodyguards are said to be handpicked for qualities that include 'operational psychology,' physical stamina and the ability to withstand cold and not sweat in heat. They are equipped with an SR-1 Vektor pistol said which can fire armour-piercing bullets. Before Putin travels, advance teams scout out his destination months ahead of time, checking to see how the public will likely respond and even if the area could be affected by bad weather or natural disasters. Wherever he's going to stay gets inspected, jamming devices are installed to prevent remote detonation of bombs, and technicians conduct electronic surveillance of cellphones and other devices in the area. On the road, Putin rides amid a convoy of heavily armoured vans that carry military special operators armed with AK-47s, anti-tank grenade launchers and portable anti-aircraft missiles. The Friday summit is said to have a ring of steel security, made up of both Russian and American special agents. The base, near Anchorage, is bristling with troops from the US Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps - as well as National Guardsmen and Reserves. 10 Elmendorf-Richardson base in Anchorage, Alaska, has been named as the setting for Trump's meeting with Putin Credit: DVIDS 10 Trump and Putin will touch down on the massive military runway on Friday Credit: DVIDS/USAF Airman First Class Mario Calabro 10 Trump and Putin will sit down for what the White House calls a 'listening exercise' Credit: Reuters In all, over 32,000 military personnel and their families live there - ten per cent of the population of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city - alongside grizzly bears, moose and wolves. It played a "particularly important" role in defending the US against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, according to the Library of Congress. The White House apparently wanted to avoid the sight of a Russian leader being welcomed into a US military setting - but concluded there was no other option. Elmendorf-Richardson is reportedly considered the only site in Alaska which could be locked down to the required level of security for the high-stakes meeting. Putin will fly the nine hours from Moscow and Trump the seven-and-a-half hours from Washington, with ample room on the runway for both their presidential aircraft.
