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TAIPEI (Reuters) – Almost half of companies surveyed by the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan (AmCham) believe geopolitical concerns are a deterrent to expanding or investing in Taiwan, but China Despite ongoing tensions, their numbers have declined significantly.
China, which considers democratically ruled Taiwan its own territory despite Taipei’s opposition, is increasing military and political pressure to assert its sovereignty claims.
Lai Qingde of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which China considers a dangerous separatist, won this month’s presidential election and is scheduled to take office on May 20, but his party has lost its parliamentary majority.
In a survey conducted from Nov. 20 to Dec. 15 released on Tuesday, AmCham Taiwan found that 46% of respondents said the biggest deterrent to expanding or investing in Taiwan was “geopolitical uncertainty.” He said that he thought it was a matter of gender.
Although this was down 20 points from the previous survey, it was still higher than other factors such as bureaucracy and a lack of skilled labor.
“So they see geopolitics as a risk, but not much of a deterrent,” Dan Silver, chairman of AmCham Taiwan, told reporters.
More than half of respondents said relations with China should be a priority for Taiwan’s government over the next three years.
AmCham Taiwan President Patrick Lin added, “Although our members have not expressed a high level of concern about China’s actions, a stable and peaceful environment is necessary for businesses to thrive.”
AmCham Taiwan announced that 223 of its 444 eligible members responded to the survey, with 92% saying they plan to maintain or increase their investment in Taiwan this year, and that confidence in Taiwan is “soaring.” ” he pointed out.
The group is calling for an ambitious agenda to accelerate economic cooperation with Taiwan through a new Taiwan-US trade consultation framework and ultimately a bilateral trade agreement, which Taiwan’s government is also pushing.
Silver said he believes the prospects for such a deal are “modest,” but that Taiwan needs to “urgently seek and urgently seek U.S. push for a new agreement.” .
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Stephen Coates)
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