EU-Taiwan Relations Tracker 6.8/10

There is no specific number for "EU-Taiwan green tech projects," but the two regions are collaborating in several key areas, including renewable energy technology and green hydrogen. The EU is a potential partner for Taiwan, which is looking to accelerate its renewable energy development and has recently seen a significant increase in its own investment in EU green technology projects.

Examples of cooperation include: EU-Taiwan Hydrogen Roundtable and potential collaboration on carbon market mechanisms, like the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

There is one major EU-Taiwan semiconductor project, the European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC), a joint venture led by TSMC in Dresden, Germany.

Additionally, there are ongoing discussions and forums for broader EU-Taiwan semiconductor cooperation, including a 2023 forum that saw a large delegation from the EU's semiconductor clusters visit Taiwan.

There is no single, official annual figure for EU-Taiwan student exchanges, as numbers vary by exchange program and institution.

Data from 2018 shows that approximately 3,814 Taiwanese students studied in Europe that year. Specific bilateral agreements, like partnerships between Goethe University Frankfurt and Taiwanese universities, facilitate exchanges each semester. Erasmus+ data (2019) shows approximately 784 annual participants in both directions.

The total annual number of EU-Taiwan working holiday participants depends on the specific agreement between Taiwan and each individual EU country, as quotas are set on a bilateral basis.

Example quotas: Taiwan-Luxembourg: 40 participants per year; Belgium: up to 200 Taiwanese participants per year; Taiwan-Austria: combined quota of 75 participants. Total estimated annual capacity across all 12 EU member states ranges between 800-1,500 participants.

The engagement scores and overall rating presented in this tracker represent proprietary assessments by Iselin Group based on comprehensive analysis of publicly available data, official statements, and bilateral activities.

Overall Score Calculation (6.8/10)

The overall engagement score is derived from four equally-weighted pillars:

• Economic Integration (7.5/10): Trade volume growth, FDI stocks, services trade expansion, and investment screening frameworks
• Political Dialogue (6.4/10): Parliamentary exchanges, ministerial visits, Trade & Investment Dialogue sessions, and representation networks
• Security Cooperation (5.9/10): Cybersecurity collaboration, supply chain resilience initiatives, and strategic technology partnerships
• Cultural Exchange (7.2/10): Student mobility, working holiday programs, visa facilitation, and cultural projects

Sector Engagement Intensity (Policy Area Scores)

Percentage scores for individual sectors (Semiconductors 95%, Green Tech 84%, etc.) are calculated using a composite index measuring:

• Volume of bilateral activity (forums, working groups, joint statements)
• Trade and investment flows in the specific sector
• Number of institutional mechanisms (dialogues, MOUs, partnerships)
• Frequency of high-level engagement (ministerial, parliamentary, technical)
• Strategic importance as reflected in official policy documents

Heatmap Intensity Methodology

Year-over-year intensity scores (2021-2025) track the evolution of engagement across sectors based on:

• Number of documented bilateral events and initiatives per sector per year
• Official announcements, press releases, and policy statements
• Trade data growth rates in sector-specific categories
• Media coverage and public discourse analysis

Risk Assessment Framework

Risk levels (High/Medium/Low) represent Iselin Group's assessment of vulnerabilities and dependencies:

• High Risk - Supply Chain Dependency: 90% of advanced semiconductors from Taiwan (confirmed by EEAS data); limited alternative sources; critical for EU digital and green transitions
• Medium Risk - Cross-Strait Tensions: Geopolitical instability could disrupt €73B trade relationship and critical technology supply chains
• Low Risk - Economic Security: Four active investment screening frameworks; strengthened export controls; diversification efforts underway (EU Chips Act)