T.W. Simpson
@simpsontw.bsky.social
Cross-Cultural Comms Strategist | Media & Narrative Consultant
Bridging U.S.-Taiwan relations through cultural intelligence, media training, and strategic communication. Helping leaders navigate global narratives with clarity and confidence.
Bridging U.S.-Taiwan relations through cultural intelligence, media training, and strategic communication. Helping leaders navigate global narratives with clarity and confidence.
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Also in #Europe — the current vice president of #Taiwan, Bi-khim Hsiao, who delivered the 1st-ever speech by a senior member of the Taiwanese government in the European Parliament.
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
November 8, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Also in #Europe — the current vice president of #Taiwan, Bi-khim Hsiao, who delivered the 1st-ever speech by a senior member of the Taiwanese government in the European Parliament.
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
"We don't just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive," she said in #Brussels. www.ipac.global/news/taiwans...
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Look y'all, there are some super big hints in this article:
"World War II ended only when... the United States dropped nuclear weapons on Japan."
"Chinese failure in a conflict over Taiwan could also threaten Xi or his successor’s hold on power and undermine the legitimacy of the CCP."
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"World War II ended only when... the United States dropped nuclear weapons on Japan."
"Chinese failure in a conflict over Taiwan could also threaten Xi or his successor’s hold on power and undermine the legitimacy of the CCP."
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How War in Taiwan Ends
Even if deterrence fails, America could thwart China.
www.foreignaffairs.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Look y'all, there are some super big hints in this article:
"World War II ended only when... the United States dropped nuclear weapons on Japan."
"Chinese failure in a conflict over Taiwan could also threaten Xi or his successor’s hold on power and undermine the legitimacy of the CCP."
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
"World War II ended only when... the United States dropped nuclear weapons on Japan."
"Chinese failure in a conflict over Taiwan could also threaten Xi or his successor’s hold on power and undermine the legitimacy of the CCP."
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
We launched the China Index (中文版) with a press briefing on how Beijing shapes narratives & influence in Taiwan. A major challenge is how broad and varied these efforts are, often reaching those left out of the social safety net — a reminder how social gaps can turn into leverage points.
November 6, 2025 at 7:55 AM
We launched the China Index (中文版) with a press briefing on how Beijing shapes narratives & influence in Taiwan. A major challenge is how broad and varied these efforts are, often reaching those left out of the social safety net — a reminder how social gaps can turn into leverage points.
Very good piece here:
"Not only are the people effectively owned by the CCP, their identities, cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities are defined, developed and controlled by the CCP to “foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation,” according to the CCP constitution."
"Not only are the people effectively owned by the CCP, their identities, cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities are defined, developed and controlled by the CCP to “foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation,” according to the CCP constitution."
Donovan’s Deep Dives: The Chinese Communist Party’s relationship with all-encompassing power - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Very good piece here:
"Not only are the people effectively owned by the CCP, their identities, cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities are defined, developed and controlled by the CCP to “foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation,” according to the CCP constitution."
"Not only are the people effectively owned by the CCP, their identities, cultures, religions, languages and ethnicities are defined, developed and controlled by the CCP to “foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation,” according to the CCP constitution."
"China surely has high expectations that the KMT would return to power under Cheng’s leadership and contribute to “peaceful unification.”
That would save China from needing to use force... as Trump has said that Beijing would not take military action against Taiwan during his presidency..."
That would save China from needing to use force... as Trump has said that Beijing would not take military action against Taiwan during his presidency..."
EDITORIAL: Vigilance must be maintained - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 AM
"China surely has high expectations that the KMT would return to power under Cheng’s leadership and contribute to “peaceful unification.”
That would save China from needing to use force... as Trump has said that Beijing would not take military action against Taiwan during his presidency..."
That would save China from needing to use force... as Trump has said that Beijing would not take military action against Taiwan during his presidency..."
“The United States insists on the full and equal participation of all APEC member economies — including Taiwan — consistent with APEC’s guidelines, rules and established practice, as affirmed by China in its offer to host in 2026,” the unnamed spokesperson said..."
US to press China on security for APEC - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:43 AM
“The United States insists on the full and equal participation of all APEC member economies — including Taiwan — consistent with APEC’s guidelines, rules and established practice, as affirmed by China in its offer to host in 2026,” the unnamed spokesperson said..."
"National Chengchi University’s Election Center Taiwanese identity poll shows that the “Taiwanese-only” identity accounts for over 60 percent of the population... “Taiwanese-Chinese” identity is in decline, from 38.2 percent in 2018, to just 30.5 percent now."
Notes from Central Taiwan: Willing to fight for the homeland - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:08 AM
"National Chengchi University’s Election Center Taiwanese identity poll shows that the “Taiwanese-only” identity accounts for over 60 percent of the population... “Taiwanese-Chinese” identity is in decline, from 38.2 percent in 2018, to just 30.5 percent now."
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
The second of my twice-weekly columns looks at the alleged "unwillingness to fight" of Taiwanese, driven by the recent SCMP piece on it.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
Notes from Central Taiwan: Willing to fight for the homeland - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
The second of my twice-weekly columns looks at the alleged "unwillingness to fight" of Taiwanese, driven by the recent SCMP piece on it.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
"The White House, which sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to the hearing, has said that they will turn to other tariff authorities if the court does not rule in its favour."
Supreme Court justices sharply question Trump tariffs in hearing
If the court rules against Trump's tariffs, it could force the US to refund some of the billions it has collected.
www.bbc.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:51 AM
"The White House, which sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to the hearing, has said that they will turn to other tariff authorities if the court does not rule in its favour."
"Painting Taiwan’s leaders as 'reckless' sows the ground by making a moral case for a US abandonment of Taiwan that shifts the blame to Taiwan for resisting PRC annexation: “hey, they were reckless!” Variations on this approach have become common the last few years."
Notes from Central Taiwan:The emerging argument to sell out Taiwan - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:08 AM
"Painting Taiwan’s leaders as 'reckless' sows the ground by making a moral case for a US abandonment of Taiwan that shifts the blame to Taiwan for resisting PRC annexation: “hey, they were reckless!” Variations on this approach have become common the last few years."
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
💯 👇 — it's the beginning of the end of Trump's suspension of political gravity.
really important element of this basically total victory is that it puts the fear of god in republican incumbents and may bring the redistricting push to a total halt
November 5, 2025 at 7:33 AM
💯 👇 — it's the beginning of the end of Trump's suspension of political gravity.
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Taiwan's top 20% are around 70 times richer than the bottom 20%.
And the gap between the richest 20% and the poorest 20% has widened fourfold since 1991, creating a hotbed for #populism and provocateurs.
This is a direct challenge to #Taiwanese #democracy.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
And the gap between the richest 20% and the poorest 20% has widened fourfold since 1991, creating a hotbed for #populism and provocateurs.
This is a direct challenge to #Taiwanese #democracy.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
November 4, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Taiwan's top 20% are around 70 times richer than the bottom 20%.
And the gap between the richest 20% and the poorest 20% has widened fourfold since 1991, creating a hotbed for #populism and provocateurs.
This is a direct challenge to #Taiwanese #democracy.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
And the gap between the richest 20% and the poorest 20% has widened fourfold since 1991, creating a hotbed for #populism and provocateurs.
This is a direct challenge to #Taiwanese #democracy.
www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/...
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
A 💯 must listen pod/analysis on the Trump Xi meeting 👇
"...conversation with Rush Doshi, the C.V. Starr senior fellow for Asia studies and director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and an assistant professor in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service."
"...conversation with Rush Doshi, the C.V. Starr senior fellow for Asia studies and director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and an assistant professor in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service."
Sinocism Live: Rush Doshi on the Trump-Xi meeting and US-China Relations
pca.st
October 31, 2025 at 1:29 AM
A 💯 must listen pod/analysis on the Trump Xi meeting 👇
"...conversation with Rush Doshi, the C.V. Starr senior fellow for Asia studies and director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and an assistant professor in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service."
"...conversation with Rush Doshi, the C.V. Starr senior fellow for Asia studies and director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and an assistant professor in Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service."
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Disqualified in the first paragraph bro
"Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, has asserted its sovereignty in new and destabilizing ways.."
1,000% not true.
"Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, has asserted its sovereignty in new and destabilizing ways.."
1,000% not true.
Trump and Xi should exchange assurances — ideally in a new U.S.-PRC joint communiqué — to stabilize cross-strait relations and reduce military activities around Taiwan. My proposal in @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/towar...
Toward a Taiwan Truce
How Trump and Xi can pull back from the brink.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Disqualified in the first paragraph bro
"Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, has asserted its sovereignty in new and destabilizing ways.."
1,000% not true.
"Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, has asserted its sovereignty in new and destabilizing ways.."
1,000% not true.
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Most foreigners living in Taiwan do work that's much more important than mine. But they are being treated worse, have less rights and almost no long-term perspectives.
I had a chance to tell a room full of Taiwanese and German academics and politicians what I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2c...
I had a chance to tell a room full of Taiwanese and German academics and politicians what I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2c...
My rant: Taiwan's immigration policies are WRONG
Support my reporting from Taiwan: https://www.patreon.com/taiwanreporter
Most foreigners living in Taiwan don't look like me, and the work they do is more important for this society than mine. But…
www.youtube.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Most foreigners living in Taiwan do work that's much more important than mine. But they are being treated worse, have less rights and almost no long-term perspectives.
I had a chance to tell a room full of Taiwanese and German academics and politicians what I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2c...
I had a chance to tell a room full of Taiwanese and German academics and politicians what I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2c...
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Such an important, honest and clear-eyed presentation. The truth about Taiwanese discrimination against Southeast Asian residents is sometimes best delivered by the person from whom the government most wants to hear praise.
This talk has outsize potential in effecting precious reforms.
This talk has outsize potential in effecting precious reforms.
Most foreigners living in Taiwan do work that's much more important than mine. But they are being treated worse, have less rights and almost no long-term perspectives.
I had a chance to tell a room full of Taiwanese and German academics and politicians what I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2c...
I had a chance to tell a room full of Taiwanese and German academics and politicians what I think. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L2c...
My rant: Taiwan's immigration policies are WRONG
Support my reporting from Taiwan: https://www.patreon.com/taiwanreporter
Most foreigners living in Taiwan don't look like me, and the work they do is more important for this society than mine. But…
www.youtube.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Such an important, honest and clear-eyed presentation. The truth about Taiwanese discrimination against Southeast Asian residents is sometimes best delivered by the person from whom the government most wants to hear praise.
This talk has outsize potential in effecting precious reforms.
This talk has outsize potential in effecting precious reforms.
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
⛏️ Control over rare-earth minerals gives China the advantage. (34 percent)
⚖️ China and the U.S. have about the same amount of leverage in these negotiations. (33 percent)
💵The strength of the U.S. dollar gives Trump the edge. (33 percent)
(Foreign Policy survey of readers)
⚖️ China and the U.S. have about the same amount of leverage in these negotiations. (33 percent)
💵The strength of the U.S. dollar gives Trump the edge. (33 percent)
(Foreign Policy survey of readers)
October 28, 2025 at 2:27 PM
⛏️ Control over rare-earth minerals gives China the advantage. (34 percent)
⚖️ China and the U.S. have about the same amount of leverage in these negotiations. (33 percent)
💵The strength of the U.S. dollar gives Trump the edge. (33 percent)
(Foreign Policy survey of readers)
⚖️ China and the U.S. have about the same amount of leverage in these negotiations. (33 percent)
💵The strength of the U.S. dollar gives Trump the edge. (33 percent)
(Foreign Policy survey of readers)
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
No "assurance" that Xi offers can be trusted (nor Trump's assurances for that matter), as any reading of his devolution into one-man sovereign will show. Any assertion to the contrary is a political act.
This commentator makes a living from diminishing victims of violence and threats. Beware.
This commentator makes a living from diminishing victims of violence and threats. Beware.
Trump and Xi should exchange assurances — ideally in a new U.S.-PRC joint communiqué — to stabilize cross-strait relations and reduce military activities around Taiwan. My proposal in @foreignaffairs.com: www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/towar...
Toward a Taiwan Truce
How Trump and Xi can pull back from the brink.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:08 PM
No "assurance" that Xi offers can be trusted (nor Trump's assurances for that matter), as any reading of his devolution into one-man sovereign will show. Any assertion to the contrary is a political act.
This commentator makes a living from diminishing victims of violence and threats. Beware.
This commentator makes a living from diminishing victims of violence and threats. Beware.
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Caught between China and the US, Europe stumbles towards its independence day
My long-read on the latest EU push to break free from the chokeholds that threaten to snooker its geoeconomic revival
My long-read on the latest EU push to break free from the chokeholds that threaten to snooker its geoeconomic revival
Caught between China and the US, Europe stumbles towards its independence day
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is leading a growing chorus for action but progress remains slow.
www.scmp.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Caught between China and the US, Europe stumbles towards its independence day
My long-read on the latest EU push to break free from the chokeholds that threaten to snooker its geoeconomic revival
My long-read on the latest EU push to break free from the chokeholds that threaten to snooker its geoeconomic revival
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
"China may outperform the United States in making electric vehicles. Russia has many more military mercenaries than America does. But both are far behind the United States and its democratic allies in the contest of ideas."
Why Democracy Promotion Is as Vital as Ever | Journal of Democracy
America’s promotion of democracy has always been highly imperfect. But the superiority of democracy—and the ideas that animate it—make it essential to securing America’s future.
www.journalofdemocracy.org
October 28, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"China may outperform the United States in making electric vehicles. Russia has many more military mercenaries than America does. But both are far behind the United States and its democratic allies in the contest of ideas."
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Curious how some commentators are so glibly urging the Trump administration to bend to Beijing's diktat toward a territory it has never controlled. "For the first time...the U.S. would specify peaceful unification as one of the outcomes it would accept" www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/towar...
Toward a Taiwan Truce
How Trump and Xi can pull back from the brink.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Curious how some commentators are so glibly urging the Trump administration to bend to Beijing's diktat toward a territory it has never controlled. "For the first time...the U.S. would specify peaceful unification as one of the outcomes it would accept" www.foreignaffairs.com/taiwan/towar...
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
"former US representative Mike Gallagher at a roundtable on Monday told Taiwanese reporters that the US would not use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in tariff negotiations with China. Gallagher said he could not sense any inclination or interest in the US to use Taiwan in a “great bargain” with China."
US policy toward Taiwan unchanged, US official says - Taipei Times
Bringing Taiwan to the World and the World to Taiwan
www.taipeitimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:50 PM
"former US representative Mike Gallagher at a roundtable on Monday told Taiwanese reporters that the US would not use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in tariff negotiations with China. Gallagher said he could not sense any inclination or interest in the US to use Taiwan in a “great bargain” with China."
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Michael McFaul "Four pillars of power helped the United States win the Cold War. The same pillars will almost certainly determine whether China or America wins today’s power competition—but instead of bolstering them, Trump is bulldozing them.”
Trump Is Demolishing Four Pillars of American Power
By rejecting the lessons of the previous century, the president has undermined America’s advantage over China and Russia.
www.theatlantic.com
October 28, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Michael McFaul "Four pillars of power helped the United States win the Cold War. The same pillars will almost certainly determine whether China or America wins today’s power competition—but instead of bolstering them, Trump is bulldozing them.”
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
I’m cautiously optimistic that our democratic institutions are stronger than Trump.
But as I write in Autocrats vs. Democrats, this is the greatest test of American democracy in my lifetime — maybe since the Civil War.
Out now: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
But as I write in Autocrats vs. Democrats, this is the greatest test of American democracy in my lifetime — maybe since the Civil War.
Out now: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
October 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I’m cautiously optimistic that our democratic institutions are stronger than Trump.
But as I write in Autocrats vs. Democrats, this is the greatest test of American democracy in my lifetime — maybe since the Civil War.
Out now: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
But as I write in Autocrats vs. Democrats, this is the greatest test of American democracy in my lifetime — maybe since the Civil War.
Out now: www.amazon.com/dp/0358677874
Reposted by T.W. Simpson
Puma Shen🇹🇼= GOAT (3x sanctioned by🇨🇳)
Putting things in perspective, Marco Rubio🇺🇸 and Taiwan's🇹🇼 VP Hsiao has only been sanctioned by 🇨🇳 twice, while Puma Shen🇹🇼 has been sanctioned three times.
Putting things in perspective, Marco Rubio🇺🇸 and Taiwan's🇹🇼 VP Hsiao has only been sanctioned by 🇨🇳 twice, while Puma Shen🇹🇼 has been sanctioned three times.
October 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Puma Shen🇹🇼= GOAT (3x sanctioned by🇨🇳)
Putting things in perspective, Marco Rubio🇺🇸 and Taiwan's🇹🇼 VP Hsiao has only been sanctioned by 🇨🇳 twice, while Puma Shen🇹🇼 has been sanctioned three times.
Putting things in perspective, Marco Rubio🇺🇸 and Taiwan's🇹🇼 VP Hsiao has only been sanctioned by 🇨🇳 twice, while Puma Shen🇹🇼 has been sanctioned three times.