Outline: Since the 1950s, Taiwan’s economy has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from an underdeveloped country into a high-income, developed economy. Over the decades, it has progressed through distinct stages—shifting from an agricultural base to a labor-intensive manufacturing hub, and eventually becoming one of the world’s most concentrated centers of high-tech innovation. After joining the WTO in 2002, Taiwan further integrated into the global trade network, emerging as the world’s 16th largest trader. This course explores both the historical trajectory and the current state of Taiwan’s economy, while also examining the challenges posed by its growing economic and geopolitical significance in an era of globalization.