Taiwan’s economy is booming thanks to AI. Not everyone sees the benefits
Taiwan is experiencing explosive GDP growth due to chip exports, but some Taiwanese feel left out.

Taiwan is experiencing explosive GDP growth due to chip exports, but some Taiwanese feel left out.




![Taiwanese soldiers pose with a Taiwanese flag near a Sky Sword II surface-to-air missile launcher and a military UAV during an annual military exercise ahead of Lunar New Year in Taichung, Taiwan on Jan. 27, 2026. [Ann Wang/Reuters]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/image-1779476022.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)




President Lai says Taiwan’s future is up to its people as the island faces Chinese and US headwinds.
Lai says Taiwan will not provoke conflict with China, but will not forsake its dignity or democratic values.
Taiwan says it will maintain ‘status quo’ and deepen ties with the US after Trump meets with China’s Xi Jinping.
US President Donald Trump concluded a two-day summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
US President Donald Trump said he discussed US arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
US touted trade deals; China said it warned Washington over Taiwan. Neither side confirmed the other’s claims.
Xi and Trump agree to frame their relationship as ‘constructive, strategic and stable’ on the first day of talks.
Trump and Xi meet as trade, Taiwan and the Iran war dominate a high-stakes US-China summit.
US weapons sales to Taiwan have been longstanding source of tension with Beijing, which claims island as its territory.

Taiwanese civilians are flocking to self‑defence courses, amid fears China could one day use force to seize the island.