Recent Publications

Taiwan Economic Research Monthly Strategic and Tactical Issues in U.S.-China Competition ‧ Stephen S. Roach, a senior fellow at Yale University, wrote that since the onset of the U.S.-China trade war in 2018, it has been a struggle between U.S. tactics and China’s strategy. He argues that tactics alone are insufficient to compensate for deficiencies in strategic thinking, and therefore, he believes that the Washington establishment should pay more attention to strategic issues (S. S. Roach, 2023). While perceptions of the differences between tactics and strategy may vary, generally, tactics refer to methods of achieving short-term, localized victories, while strategy involves principles guiding and coordinating various tactics based on long-term and overall goals and considerations. One potential danger of focusing on tactics and lacking strategic thinking is the risk of winning a battle but losing the war. The United States may need to improve its strategic thinking and planning in its trade disputes with China, but this does not imply that China, with its more strategic approach, necessarily has an advantage and doesn’t need to improve its practices. In essence, Roach is highlighting the importance of strategic thinking over mere tactical maneuvers in navigating complex geopolitical and economic dynamics, emphasizing the need for a long-term perspective and cohesive planning to achieve sustainable success in competitive environments.