Taiwan Must Bolster Eastward Resilience Against Chinese Economic Warfare, Experts Advise
Taiwan faces a significant threat of economic warfare from China, which could involve various tactics from trade embargoes to blockades, potentially crippling the island's economy without a direct invasion. Experts Joseph Hanacek and Josh Richards emphasize that Taiwan's current defense strategy, largely focused on amphibious assault from the west, neglects the equally likely threat of maritime asphyxiation. They argue that Taiwan's endurance depends on building resilience at home and reorienting its future growth eastward. This includes overhauling national energy production to reduce reliance on imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), aiming for at least 75% energy independence for residential, commercial, and limited industrial use. Additionally, Taiwan needs to strengthen its merchant marine and construct deep-water, dual-use ports on its eastern coast, integrated with military infrastructure and seabed defense capabilities, to create a second strategic coastline for imports. 
