Soft Power Is A Boba Tea Cup

Tightly squeezed between China’s relentless push for reunification and an increasingly unpredictable U.S. foreign policy, Taiwan has discovered a unique way to assert its identity on the global stage. While military modernization efforts continue to fortify its defenses, the island nation has embraced an unexpected tool: bubble tea. Once just a beloved beverage, it has evolved into a powerful symbol of Taiwan’s national identity, soft power, and resistance against authoritarian pressure(1).

In the late 1980s, Taiwan’s teahouses were bubbling with experimentation. It was an era when innovation collided with tradition, and the result was a drink that would later take the world by storm. Tea was deeply embedded in the island’s history, rooted in centuries‑old Chinese traditions that favored meticulous brewing techniques, delicate flavors, and an almost meditative approach to consumption(2). Hot, unadulterated tea was seen as a refined, almost sacred experience, one that demanded respect, patience, and an appreciation for purity. Then came bubble tea, an audacious reinvention that broke nearly every rule of traditional tea‑making.

Cold tea? Blasphemous. Sweetened tea? Already pushing boundaries. Adding chewy tapioca pearls, traditionally reserved for desserts, into a drink? That was outright radical. Many in Taiwan’s tea community dismissed it as a gimmick, a sugary novelty that disrespected the island’s sophisticated tea heritage. Purists scoffed at the idea of treating tea as a playground for experimentation, arguing that such drinks diluted the artistry behind traditional brewing. Yet, despite this resistance, bubble tea thrived(3). It captured the imagination of a younger generation eager to break from rigid conventions, embracing a drink that was fun, customizable, and utterly modern.

For many young Taiwanese, bubble tea is more than a drink. It’s a statement of modernity, creativity, and defiance in the face of a world that often denies their nationhood. What started as a rebellious twist on tradition soon became Taiwan’s most famous export tool for securing the Taiwanese identity(4).

A Geopolitical Tightrope: Taiwan and the U.S.‑China Trade War

For decades, Taiwan’s status has been a subject of international debate and a ripple in the calm for China. Beijing’s steadfast claim under the ‘one‑China principle’ has led to diplomatic isolation and economic coercion aimed at forcefully pressuring Taiwan into reunification. At the same time, the United States has walked a fine line with its policy of strategic ambiguity, offering informal support without binding commitments.

Photo by Slava Keyzman on Unsplash

With the return of a more transactional approach under President Donald Trump’s renewed administration, uncertainty over U.S. support has intensified. Trump’s previous statements suggesting that Taiwan should “pay” for its own defense raise concerns that the island could become a bargaining chip in the broader U.S.‑China rivalry(5). This reality forces Taipei to balance defense imperatives with diplomatic innovation, making cultural diplomacy, such as bubble tea diplomacy, a crucial part of its international strategy.

The economic dimensions of this struggle are equally complex. Trump’s administration, known for its aggressive trade policies and tariff hikes, has sought to recalibrate global supply chains and reduce the U.S. trade deficit by targeting Chinese imports(6). During his first term, Trump placed restrictions on Chinese technology firms and pressured allies to limit their economic ties with Beijing, which directly affected Taiwan, whose economy is deeply intertwined with both superpowers.

In early 2025, the U.S. imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, affecting industries from consumer electronics to manufacturing components(7). Tariffs later shot up as high as 145% on certain categories, excluding smartphones and computers, marking a major escalation in the trade conflict(8). Concurrently, the U.S. implemented new restrictions on goods from China’s special administrative region of Hong Kong(9).

In response, China introduced its own tariffs but made a strategic exception for semiconductors manufactured in Taiwan, recognizing their vital role in the global supply chain(10). China also retaliated by placing additional duties on U.S. coal, crude oil, and agricultural machinery and imposing export controls on critical minerals such as tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, and molybdenum(11).

Taiwan, a key semiconductor hub, is deeply affected by these policies. While some companies relocated manufacturing from China to Taiwan, others faced economic risks as Beijing used economic leverage to retaliate against Taiwan’s growing ties with the U.S.(12). This environment forces Taiwan to diversify its strategies, using bubble tea diplomacy alongside military readiness and financial resilience to ensure its place on the world stage.

Trump’s rhetoric on Taiwan’s defense, again suggesting payment for U.S. protection, has reignited fears that Taiwan may be treated as a bargaining chip amid the U.S.‑China rivalry(13). At the same time, Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has drawn significant interest from the U.S., with calls to relocate more chip production stateside potentially reshaping Taiwan’s position in the global tech ecosystem.

The escalating U.S.‑China trade war, with both sides imposing sweeping tariffs on each other’s exports, has heightened Taiwan’s vulnerability. Taiwan benefited from increased investment as companies sought alternatives to mainland China, but the island’s economic position remains precarious. The trade war affects not only semiconductors but also broader concerns about long‑term stability and national security.

As tensions between the U.S. and China continue to unfold, Taiwan must navigate a delicate balance between defense, diplomacy, and economic resilience. The island’s strategic position in the global supply chain has made it a key player in the ongoing geopolitical tug‑of‑war. In this complex landscape, Taiwan’s future depends on its ability to adapt, diversify, and maintain its crucial role on the world stage.

Gastro-diplomacy and Milk Tea Alliances

Taiwan has strategically embraced bubble tea as a tool of gastro‑diplomacy, offering the beloved beverage not only as a cultural symbol but also as a gesture of hospitality and democratic values. Leaders like President Tsai Ing‑wen have used bubble tea in diplomatic settings, serving it to foreign dignitaries as a reminder of Taiwan's cultural vibrancy and independent identity(14).

This simple yet powerful beverage also plays a role in Taiwan’s tourism campaigns, portraying the island as an innovative and resilient society. In the face of Beijing’s increasing pressure, bubble tea subtly asserts Taiwan's uniqueness. It's more than a drink; it is a statement that Taiwan remains steadfast in its democracy and distinct culture, no matter the geopolitical challenges.

Photo by Slava Keyzman on Unsplash

International bubble tea franchises, such as Tiger Sugar and Wanpo, have helped spread Taiwan’s identity globally, transforming storefronts from New York to Tokyo into mini embassies of Taiwanese creativity and joy(15).

Since 2019, the beverage has also become synonymous with the Milk Tea Alliance, a digital movement uniting pro‑democracy activists from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Myanmar. The alliance’s fourth anniversary in 2023 was marked with coordinated online campaigns highlighting shared democratic ideals(16).

At the heart of Taiwan's struggle against China’s One China policy, bubble tea stands as a testament to the island's perseverance. Through each tapioca pearl and every cup served, Taiwan quietly but firmly makes its point: It is not just surviving; it is thriving. The island’s voice is heard. Not through force, but through culture, flavor, and resilience.

Sources

1- World Tea News. (2025, January 14). Bubble tea market is bursting with growth. World Tea News. https://www.worldteanews.com/products-innovation/bubble-tea-marketing-bursting-growth

2- Chen, L. C., Wu, A., & Global Taiwan Institute. (2023). Taiwanese identity and culinary diplomacy: Moving from dim sum diplomacy to made in Taiwan. Global Taiwan Brief, 8(22), 1–2. https://globaltaiwan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GTB-11.28.23.pdf

3- Wei, C. (2023, October 4). The politics of bubble tea: At last, Taiwanese food is getting the recognition it deserves. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/03/bubble-tea-bao-global-popularity-taiwanese-food-matters

4- Wu, V. (2021, March 22). Boba diplomacy: Bubble tea’s influence on Taiwan’s soft power. Glimpse From the Globe. https://www.glimpsefromtheglobe.com/regions/asia-and-the-pacific/boba-diplomacy-bubble-teas-influence-on-taiwans-soft-power/

5- Loh, M., Tan, K. W. K., & Teh, C. (2024, November 8). Trump said Taiwan should pay for US protection. Here’s what a second Trump term could mean for the island. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/what-second-trump-term-could-mean-for-taiwan-2024-11

6- De Guzman, C. (2024, November 8). How Asia is bracing for Trump’s second term. TIME. https://time.com/7174087/trump-second-term-foreign-policy-asia-approach/

7- Focus Taiwan – CNA English News. (2025, February 9). Trump’s tariff hike on chips seeks to force TSMC negotiations: Experts. Focus Taiwan. https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202502090005

8- Davidson, H. (2025, February 21). Taiwan holds its breath as Trump turns on Ukraine and upends US foreign policy. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/21/donald-trump-russia-ukraine-foreign-policy-impact-taiwan

9- Wu, H. (2025, April 13). As tariffs put trade between China and the US in peril, Chinese businesses ponder the future. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/chinese-donald-trump-joe-biden-ningbo-world-trade-organization-b2732333.html

10- Lee, Y. L., & Blanchard, B. B. (2025, February 15). Taiwan pledges chip talks and investment to mollify Trump. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/taiwan-president-meet-senior-officials-us-tariffs-sources-say-2025-02-14/

11- Mistreanu, S. (2025a, March 12). China announces tit‑for‑tat tariffs on Canadian food imports. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/china/china-tariff-canada-food-imports-trade-war-b2711397.html

12- Sullivan, H. (2024, June 3). ‘China’s threats to annex Taiwan will not simply disappear,’ says Taiwan’s new president – as it happened. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/20/taiwan-presidential-inauguration-2024-live-updates-lai-ching-te-new-president-latest-news

13- Siddiqui, S. (2018, February 9). Critics say Trump’s call with Taiwan may alter decades of foreign policy. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/03/donald-trump-taiwan-tsai-ing-wen-phone-call-foreign-policy

14- Hale, E. (2020, June 26). Taiwan finds diplomatic sweet spot in bubble tea. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/6/26/taiwan-finds-diplomatic-sweet-spot-in-bubble-tea

15- Pak, J. (2025, April 5). Bubble tea’s Taiwan origin story: Economic boom, national identity and betrayal. Marketplace. https://www.marketplace.org/story/2024/03/14/bubble-tea-economic-survival-national-identity-and-betrayal

16- Teeratanabodee, T. P., & Watson, E. (2024, April 8). The fourth year of the Milk Tea Alliance. E‑International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/2024/04/08/the-fourth-year-of-the-milk-tea-alliance/

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