In Taiwan, Protests Against a Cross-Strait Trade Deal Gain Strength

This will be a decisive week for protests in Taipei that began on March 18. The demonstrations mark a crucial juncture for Taiwan's opposition movement and perhaps for the administration of President Ma Ying-jeou. The Ma administration believes closer ties with China will make Taiwan more competitive in the growing Chinese consumer market and pave the way for the island's accession to prospective multilateral trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. But not all of Taiwan agrees with Ma's strategy.