The geopolitical ramifications of COVID-19: the Taiwanese exception

ABSTRACT

This commentary positions the Taiwanese response to COVID-19 in the larger geopolitical arena. It explores the politicized nature of the global pandemic through Taiwan’s relations with the US, China, the World Health Organization, and Southeast Asia, and reflects on the politico-economic environment Taiwan has to navigate post COVID-19. Discussion shows that the emergence of Taiwan as an exceptional entity in the containment of the virus is very much predicated on the failings of China and the US in their roles as world leaders. Moreover, as much as China needs Taiwan for its nationalistic narratives, the US is dependent on a defiant Taiwan to stall China’s progress in threatening its global hegemon status. However, despite scoring a geopolitical home run in its engagement with COVID-19, Taiwan is by and large a pawn in Sino-US relations. The commentary postulates that the political future of Taiwan is likely to be determined by geopolitical externalities beyond its control. Taiwan should not be too carried away by its success in balancing the US-China tightrope hitherto. So long as Taiwan remains a pawn in the contestation of global power between China and the US, its leaders have to tread carefully as to its future options.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19 pandemic
• global hegemon
• mask diplomacy
• Sino-US relations
• Thucydides trap
• World Health Organization
• Taiwan

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Tim Oakes, Kam Wing Chan, Craig Young and Kenneth Corey for their helpful comments and suggestions. The usual disclaimers apply.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.