Post-ECFA Outlook for the Relationship across the Taiwan Strait

Abstract

This paper discusses the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) between Taiwan and China. It examines its contents, trade-expectations, and problem areas. Since ”cooperative behavior” (as demonstrated in the signing and implementation of the ECFA) does not have the functional equivalence of ”trust” in cross-Strait ties, the paper identifies some of the pathways that a post-ECFA ecosystem could provide for Taiwan in the coming years, and the risks they present.