Led by former Chief of the Defence Staff General Thomas J. Lawson, the Canadian National Security Delegation visited the Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET) last week. Discussions focused on semiconductor supply chains and export controls, the protection of subsea cables and energy security, the defense industrialization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and opportunities for cooperation between Taiwan and Canada within the democratic alliance. General Lawson and former National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Prime Minister Vincent Rigby posed multiple questions during the meeting, highlighting how Taiwanese think tanks can translate research into concrete policy outcomes while strengthening autonomy and allied coordination amid global uncertainty.
The delegation commended DSET for its cross-disciplinary capacity driven by young scholars, while also inquiring how the institute maintains an independent civic perspective under government support. DSET CEO Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang emphasized that semiconductors have become “critical infrastructure” in the AI era. He explained that the institute continues to study export controls and supply-chain risk reduction, while advocating for institutionalized cooperation through multilateral platforms. Chang further underscored Taiwan’s long exclusion from international organizations, stressing the need to proactively establish policy dialogues with allies.
On infrastructure security, DSET noted in recent reports “Undercurrent: Limits and Prospects of Submarine Cable Security for Taiwan” that Taiwan suffers multiple subsea cable disruptions each year, jeopardizing communications and the livelihood of offshore islands. While the government has enhanced maritime patrols and regulatory tools, enforcement remains constrained by jurisdictional limits and evidentiary challenges. In terms of energy, DSET shared results of a ten-year power supply simulation analyzing industrial electricity risks and renewable energy development, and discussed opportunities for cross-border cooperation on LNG imports and offshore wind with the Canadian delegation.
On UAV defense industrialization, DSET acknowledged that Taiwan continues to face significant hurdles, including insufficient procurement, high production costs, and limited market access. Although the Ministry of National Defense has expanded procurement programs in recent years, the scale remains far behind Ukraine’s annual production of several million drones. Moreover, some key components cost up to ten times more than Chinese competitor DJI, leaving Taiwanese drones at a disadvantage in international markets and hindering industry upgrading.
DSET stressed that to achieve genuine defense industrialization, Taiwan must move beyond reliance on military procurement alone by engaging in joint research and co-production with democratic partners, thereby reducing costs, advancing technology, and gaining market access through cross-border standard recognition. Only by gradually building a “de-China-ized” secure supply chain can Taiwan consolidate its position within the global defense ecosystem.
The meeting also touched upon the risks posed by disinformation and cybersecurity challenges amplified by generative AI. DSET recommended that, in addition to strengthening export controls on hardware to China, Taiwan must enhance oversight of AI models and services operating domestically to mitigate risks from external systems. Concluding the session, DSET reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging a cross-generational, cross-disciplinary, and international network of researchers and advisors to advance evidence-based policy research, simulation exercises, and global advocacy, ensuring Taiwan’s voice is heard within the democratic community of nations.
