Taiwan Needs Stronger Brands To Win Over Next Gen

"Made in Taiwan." Those three words represent everything from America's decline as a manufacturing powerhouse, to Asia's economic rise, to the explosion of cheap consumer culture, to China's new pride seen in "Made by Chinese" movements, to China and Taiwan's long-running war, now fought via "Made in..." proxy.

So just what does "Made in Taiwan" mean today?

Manufacturing for export took Taiwan from one of the world's poorest places to one of the wealthiest. But now Taiwan has been identified as one economy that is suffering most from the global recession. The nation's exports, accounting for around 70 percent of the economy, fell 41% last December and 44% the month after that.

One irony is the circle of manufacturing life. Taiwan is losing its work to cheaper, less regulated in the region. Hakuna Mattata, Taiwan.

Another irony is that much of what Taiwan makes is finished in China resulting in a "Made in China" tag. Not that the "Made in China" brand hasn't taken a severe beating in the last few years. But this new relationship might also be helping normalize relations between the long-opposed "Made in..." nations.Continue reading...