Russia’s senseless invasion of Ukraine has forced the world to take sides, exposing the convictions of everyone from nation states to individuals. Democratic countries and their citizens have been enthusiastic in their support for Ukraine and unequivocal in espousing their liberal convictions, while others, such as China, have been hedging their bets or defending the Kremlin’s actions.
As foot soldiers in the economic war against Russia, companies are also expected to step up. Asustek Computer Inc has learned this the hard way, as pressure grows on the firm to sever its ties with Russia.
In a letter addressed to Asustek chairman Jonney Shih (施崇棠) that was posted to Twitter on Thursday last week, Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov formally requested that the Taipei-based firm stop doing business in Russia until “the Russian aggression in Ukraine is fully stopped and fair order is restored.”
“Russians have no moral right to use your brilliant technology! It’s for peace, not for war!” he said in an accompanying Twitter message, one of dozens the digital minister has been making to pressure multinationals into intensifying existing sanctions.
Asustek yesterday said that logistics and banking issues have brought its Russian shipments to a standstill, and that it would donate NT$30 million (US$1.05 million) to Ukrainian assistance, adding that it “would pay close attention to any new developments,” stopping short of severing ties with the market.
Those in the business world are finding that refusing to declare a position is now understood as taking a stance, especially in a situation with stakes this high. Dodging the question has also become impossible, as the public can now deluge a company with social media criticism when it refuses to engage.
Pressure on Asustek to pull out of Russia has only increased since Fedorov’s initial Twitter message.
Asked about the issue at a legislative hearing yesterday, Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua (王美花) said it was her understanding that Asustek would “consider an evacuation” from the Russian market. She cited concern about its reputation, but declined to comment further.
The pressure is unlikely to dissipate soon, especially with so many people ready to call out companies trying to have it both ways.
Especially as a Taiwanese company, Asustek has a responsibility to stand up for the democratic values that have made its success possible. Pulling out of the Russian market would result in a loss of less than 5 percent of its notebook sales, according to an estimate from a local investment consultant, while the move could have a significant effect on the Russian economy, given that 29 percent of Russian respondents to a Statista survey last year said that their household uses an Asus laptop.
Taiwanese and the government were quick to show their support for Ukraine. Sanctions announced late last month shortly after the invasion began earned Taiwan a spot on Russia’s “unfriendly list,” while Taiwanese as of Friday had donated NT$521.98 million to assist Ukrainian refugees.
It is time for companies still on the sidelines to enthusiastically join this united front and show the world that all of Taiwan’s society is committed to the values that set it apart from its bellicose neighbor, even if it would hurt their bottom lines. After all, if Taiwan is one day at the epicenter of conflict, hopefully the world would decide to help rather than pinch pennies.
As Vice President William Lai (賴清德) said last week, if Taiwan is a bystander in Ukraine’s war, why would other countries support Taiwan?
Concerns that the US might abandon Taiwan are often overstated. While US President Donald Trump’s handling of Ukraine raised unease in Taiwan, it is crucial to recognize that Taiwan is not Ukraine. Under Trump, the US views Ukraine largely as a European problem, whereas the Indo-Pacific region remains its primary geopolitical focus. Taipei holds immense strategic value for Washington and is unlikely to be treated as a bargaining chip in US-China relations. Trump’s vision of “making America great again” would be directly undermined by any move to abandon Taiwan. Despite the rhetoric of “America First,” the Trump administration understands the necessity of
In an article published on this page on Tuesday, Kaohsiung-based journalist Julien Oeuillet wrote that “legions of people worldwide would care if a disaster occurred in South Korea or Japan, but the same people would not bat an eyelid if Taiwan disappeared.” That is quite a statement. We are constantly reading about the importance of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), hailed in Taiwan as the nation’s “silicon shield” protecting it from hostile foreign forces such as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and so crucial to the global supply chain for semiconductors that its loss would cost the global economy US$1
US President Donald Trump’s challenge to domestic American economic-political priorities, and abroad to the global balance of power, are not a threat to the security of Taiwan. Trump’s success can go far to contain the real threat — the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) surge to hegemony — while offering expanded defensive opportunities for Taiwan. In a stunning affirmation of the CCP policy of “forceful reunification,” an obscene euphemism for the invasion of Taiwan and the destruction of its democracy, on March 13, 2024, the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) used Chinese social media platforms to show the first-time linkage of three new
Sasha B. Chhabra’s column (“Michelle Yeoh should no longer be welcome,” March 26, page 8) lamented an Instagram post by renowned actress Michelle Yeoh (楊紫瓊) about her recent visit to “Taipei, China.” It is Chhabra’s opinion that, in response to parroting Beijing’s propaganda about the status of Taiwan, Yeoh should be banned from entering this nation and her films cut off from funding by government-backed agencies, as well as disqualified from competing in the Golden Horse Awards. She and other celebrities, he wrote, must be made to understand “that there are consequences for their actions if they become political pawns of