Taiwan's Position in the Relations Between China and the United States of America; Geopolitics or Geoeconomics?

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Political Sciences, Political Sciences Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

2 MA student in International Relations, Political Sciences Department, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22099/ijas.2025.51983.1021

Abstract

The position of Taiwan in the relations between China and the United States is a complex and multifaceted issue that intersects with both geopolitical and geoeconomic concerns. Taiwan, as a strategic point in the Asia-Pacific region, plays a crucial role in global security dynamics while simultaneously being one of the largest producers of semiconductors, exerting significant influence on global technology supply chains and the world economy. This paper examines the question: How is Taiwan’s position in the relations between the United States and China shaped from both geopolitical and geoeconomic perspectives? Based on a descriptive-explanatory approach and the conceptual framework of "geostrategy," the findings of this study reveal that, from a geopolitical standpoint, Taiwan functions as a tool in the competition between major powers in the region, particularly China and the United States. Both countries utilize Taiwan to achieve their security and military interests, which encompass Taiwan's role in the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" policy and the four decades of military rivalry (1990-2020). The geoeconomic dimensions of this issue include the semiconductor industry and global dependencies on Taiwan, as well as the economic relations, mutual trade, and foreign direct investment between Taiwan and both countries.

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Iranian Journal of Asian Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 23 January 2025

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