Former President Tsai Ing-wen (菜英文) concluded her 10-day Europe trip this Wednesday. While her trip serves no official diplomatic purpose as she no longer holds office in Taiwan, Tsai met with prominent parliamentarians and political leaders in Lithuania, Denmark, and the United Kingdom, also delivering speeches at this year’s Copenhagen Democracy Summit, the U.K. Parliament, and multiple universities.
Noting Tsai’s previous trip to Europe in 2024 which included stops in Czechia, France, and Belgium, Nikkei Asia reports that Tsai has brought considerable political influence to Europe. According to the media outlet, Taiwan’s ties with the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other countries have strengthened despite Taiwan’s diplomatic allies falling from 22 to 12 during Tsai’s presidency.
At the London School of Economics and Political Science, Tsai warned of a new geopolitical landscape that may be defined by the uncertainty and unpredictability of existing trade and security orders. She noted that democracies find themselves in a situation where security responsibilities are being reestablished or redistributed, and that she believed the European Union is gradually waking up to the need to strengthen collective security.
Co-Founder of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China Luke de Pulford says Tsai’s visit fills an important gap by allowing for high-level bilateral exchanges as Beijing had prevented senior Taiwanese officials from visiting the U.K. previously. He pointed out that Tsai was able to visit the British Parliament, a privilege which Chinese representatives are not allowed.
Tsai’s visit to the region successfully demonstrates the DPP administration as a force that can maintain stability and continuity, according to European Values Center for Security Policy’s Taiwan Office head Marcin Jerzewksi. Jerzewski suggests Taiwan and Europe maintain practical and technical cooperation, and says Taiwan may be able to send a clear political message to Europe during this time of transatlantic relationship instability.