EU–Taiwan Cooperation

In a shifting global order, the European Union (EU) has started seeing Taiwan on its own merit as a like-minded partner, while its approach to China has shifted dramatically. With the US-China geostrategic rivalry intensifying, Taiwan&s;s relevance to the EU &s;s geopolitical ambitions has increased. As a pivotal node in the global semiconductor supply chain, Taiwan has an indispensable place in the global economy. This is a reality that the EU is learning to adjust to, just as it rethinks its approach to China. While debates in EU policy-circles on Taiwan have intensified and member states have started to appreciate its geostrategic relevance, they lack a common strategy to update their approach in a way that advances the EU &s;s geopolitical ambitions and contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. This chapter explores EU –Taiwan cooperation in the context of their emerging strategic approaches to a new reality where they are both learning to navigate an assertive China. It aims to contribute to this learning process with reflections on how to better embed Taiwan in the EU &s;s geopolitical agenda and provides insights into the role Europe plays in Taiwan&s;s own strategic thinking.