Beyond the Reefs

Joey Chou,Rti

Join host Joey Chou as he dives into socio-economic issues faced by Taiwan, and their broader impact beyond the reefs of this island nation.Contact Joey at joeychou@rti.org.tw

  1. 5D AGO

    EP0071 - Taiwan's economy is taking off, but where is it heading?

    Taiwan signed a historic trade deal with the US the same week it posted record GDP growth and 26-year high wage increases. But sixty percent of CEOs are pessimistic about 2026. The reason? Taiwan's retirement numbers now exceed births, and the economy is running out of people to run it.

  2. FEB 8

    EP070 - Building the Mineral Convergence Ark

    The U.S., Japan, and Taiwan made their most coordinated supply chain moves in the same week — rare earth stockpiling, deep-sea mining, and pilot production lines — just as the AI spending boom showed cracks. For an island running out of room to grow, the timing isn't a luxury.

  3. FEB 1

    EP069 - Where Does Prosperity Go When There's No Room to Grow?

    Taiwan posted its best economic growth in fifteen years—yet nineteen million people left the island last year, spending US$22 billion abroad. What does it mean when success creates the capacity to leave? And when your semiconductor companies and your citizens are both choosing the exit?

  4. JAN 25

    EP068 - Chip on the table and the all-in moment

    Taiwan just committed $250 billion to deepen ties with America. The same week, Canada struck a deal with China, hedging against US unpredictability. Both allies face the same Trump-era uncertainty—only one is diversifying. Is Taiwan's all-in bet visionary strategy or dangerous concentration? This week: the roads taken and not taken.

  5. JAN 18

    EP067 - The Third Taiwan: The Hidden Human Cost of the Semiconductor Boom

    Taiwan and the US just announced a historic trade deal, securing tariff parity for traditional industries alongside a massive $500 billion semiconductor commitment. But beneath the headlines, a "K-shaped" economic divide widens. We explore how this impacts the "Third Taiwan"—the elderly and working class struggling with inflation while the tech sector soars.

  6. JAN 11

    EP066 - The two Taiwans: When GDP breaks records but your eggs cost more

    Taiwan's economy is booming—GDP growth leads Asia, TSMC hits records, per capita income surpasses Japan and South Korea. Yet grocery prices climb and traditional sectors struggle. This K-shaped recovery reveals a dangerous concentration risk: when one company drives 90% of market gains, prosperity isn't shared—it's isolated.

  7. JAN 4

    EP065 - Taiwan’s strong 2025 finish and uneasy future

    Taiwan closed 2025 with record market gains and resilient consumption, but warning signs are emerging. This episode examines overheating risks, weakening consumer confidence, deepening reliance on the U.S., and outward investment pressure, asking where Taiwan should go next as growth, geopolitics, and dependence increasingly collide.

  8. 12/28/2025

    EP064 - Managing risk in a shifting Indo-Pacific strategy

    As U.S.–China competition enters a phase of managed risk, Taiwan faces growing pressure without clear guarantees. This episode examines mixed signals from Washington, China’s rising capabilities, regional reshuffling with Japan, and Taiwan’s push for resilience and AI governance as it adapts to a narrowing strategic space.

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About

Join host Joey Chou as he dives into socio-economic issues faced by Taiwan, and their broader impact beyond the reefs of this island nation.Contact Joey at joeychou@rti.org.tw

Information

  • Creator
    Joey Chou,Rti
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2018-2026 Rti - For Personal Use Only
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Reefs