The BGA Taiwan Team led by Senior Advisor Rupert Hammond-Chambers, wrote an update to clients on the appointment of a new premier in Taiwan.

Context

  • President Tsai Ing-wen on January 27 appointed former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) as Taiwan’s next premier — the fourth under her presidency that began in 2016 —fulfilling predictions that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) would pursue a government reshuffle after its heavy losses in the November 2022 local elections.
  • Before being elected vice president in 2016, Chen was a well-known expert in epidemiology and public health with distinguished achievements in both areas. Chen was praised for his leadership in helping Taiwan navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and enjoyed a high public approval rating during his term (2016-2020).

Significance

  • BGA expects that pocketbook economic issues and further lifting of COVID restrictions, which should be beneficial for the ruling party in the coming 2024 general election, will be the focus of the new Cabinet. Following his appointment, Premier Chen mentioned post-COVID reconstruction and resilience as priorities in his inaugural address.
  • The working relationship among President Tsai, Premier Chen and Vice President Lai will be a significant dynamic to watch in the coming months. Tsai and Lai were at times intraparty rivals during the presidential primary in 2020, and their tense relationship may impact policy decision-making and internal power dynamics. 

Implications

  • Since most of the economic posts remain unchanged, BGA expects continuity in the overall policies of the new Cabinet, thereby providing stability for the business community. Despite recent polling indicating public preference for a full or substantial cabinet reshuffle, most cabinet members remained unchanged, which is fine if the government can navigate a slowing economy.

If you have any comments or questions, please contact BGA Taiwan Senior Advisor Rupert Hammond-Chambers at ​​​​​​rupertjhc@bowergroupasia.com.

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Senior Advisor

Rupert is an expert on Taiwanese political and economic issues and additionally brings a special focus on defense and security within BGA. Rupert concurrently leads the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, where he was elected vice president in 1998 and president in 2000. Prior to 1994, he served as an associate for development at the Center for Security Policy, a defense and foreign policy think tank in Washington, D.C. Rupert is a member of the board of The Project 2049 Institute. He is also a trustee of Fettes College and is a member of the National Committee on United States-China Relations. Rupert ... Read More