The Future of Taiwan: Critical Implications for the US and Mainland China
The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act is often referred to as the bedrock of the relationship between the United States and the Republic of China. However, in December 2016, then-President-Elect Donald Trump took a call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, which given historic US diplomatic relations with mainland China, no US president in more than 40 years has done in order to respect the “One China” policy. Moreover, the then-president-elect went on to state that the United States is not necessarily bound to the One China policy. In China, perceptions and tradition are important. China’s response was swift, with Beijing saying that it has “serious concerns” about Trump’s position on Taiwan and international trade, and one state-run newspaper describing the president-elect as “ignorant as a child” in the field of diplomacy. This course will explicate the tensions in US foreign policy regarding Taiwan since the 1980s and provide a critical lens by which to analyze cross-strait relations. What are the geopolitical risks involved and how do these impact perceptions of investors, trade, and cross-border flows? In class, you will have the opportunity to develop and hone your negotiating skills. Also, gain a stronger conceptual and analytical framework by which to understand the US-Taiwan relations, which will help further to equip and prepare you for private sector, government, or other related careers.
You'll Walk Away with
- An understanding of what geopolitical risks are involved in cross-strait relations and what the US policy options are for affecting change in the East Asia region
- Insight into the formal diplomatic ties that Taiwan has in Asia and the implications of Chinese influence in Taiwan
- Any students who are interested in furthering their knowledge on Taiwan and China, including the significant economic and trade relationships with the US
- Those whose work would benefit from greater knowledge of China’s economy and relations with the US