Boise State University Visited Taiwan Thinktank

A delegation of faculty and students from Boise State University (BSU), led by Professor Jack Marr from the College of Business and accompanied by Dr. Philip Lin, Vice President for International Affairs at Providence University, visited the Taiwan Thinktank (TTT) and joined in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Tristan Yau-Jr Liu, member of TTT’s Board of Trustees.

Professor Marr began the opening remark with expression of gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by TTT. The visit, Dr. Marr noted, had given the BSU delegation deeper understanding of Taiwan’s vibrancy in economic development and social diversity.

Dr. Liu then introduced TTT’s mission, history, and the latest development. He emphasized that, in response to China’s growing military threats and diplomatic suppression, Taiwan is currently strengthening self-defense capabilities and deepening cooperation with allies, especially the United States and Japan. Under the leadership of President Lai Ching-te, the government is actively striving to enhance the resilience of Taiwan’s society as a whole. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in high-tech industries to promote economic diplomacy and advance the Co-prosperity Projects with diplomatic allies.

During the Q&A session, BSU students raised questions on various topics, including how Taiwan is preparing for a possible PLA invasion in 2027, the impact of Trump administration’s reciprocal tariff policy on Taiwan, the prospect for Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, how the tensions in the Taiwan Strait affect foreign direct investment in Taiwan, how Taiwan ensures energy security, how the government raises public awareness of war, and TTT’s strategies for linking industry, government, and academia. Dr. Liu answered each question in detail.

Dr. Liu reaffirmed that the United States is Taiwan’s most important ally. Although Taiwan runs a large trade surplus with the U.S., a significant portion of it comes from imports of intermediate goods and manufacturing equipment from America’s high-tech sectors. In fact, Taiwan’s exports to the U.S. actually enhance the value added of American final products and contribute substantially to America’s manufacturing renaissance. The Trump administration must have, Dr. Liu noted, gradually come to recognize this fact.

In his closing remark, Professor Marr thanked Dr. Liu for the comprehensive briefing. He said the visit has helped BSU faculty and students better understand Taiwan’s importance to the United States, as well as TTT’s crucial role as a platform of dialogues among industry, government, and academia. He expressed hope for continued exchanges and mutual visits among BSU, Providence University, and TTT in the future.

The visit concluded successfully with gift exchanges and photo opportunities.