Europe Should Strengthen Ties with Taiwan

The guest commentary in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung highlights the increasing importance of stable international partnerships amid a changing geopolitical landscape. Taiwan, recognized as a technological hub and a democratic entity, is garnering attention from Europe. The piece notes that Taiwan plays a crucial role in core technologies like semiconductors and stands as a democratic counterpoint to China's authoritarian ambitions. Despite facing military threats and economic pressure from Beijing, Taiwan has shown resilience. The European Parliament has sent delegations to Taiwan multiple times and is facilitating its participation in international organizations, signaling a growing interest in Taiwan. For Switzerland, this presents unique opportunities for cooperation, especially in technology and economic diversification.
Grano argues that while collaboration with Taiwan may attract criticism from Beijing, certain areas of cooperation should be permissible under the One China policy framework. Promoting economic diversification is crucial for enhancing security and resilience. Establishing reliable partnerships is more important than ever in today's increasingly unpredictable geopolitical climate.