Since 2016, the international media has been eager to draw comparisons between Trump and other political figures around the world. Right-wing businessmen, even before Trump’s election as US president, have long been a recognizable feature of the political landscapes of many countries. Italy’s Berlusconi has been identified as a prototype, and in recent years we’ve seen the “Trump” label applied to candidates in Colombia, Australia and Taiwan.
For the latter example, Foxconn founder Terry Gou is currently speculating about a second run for the presidency. Despite recently missing out on a major party nomination, two days ago it was reported that Gou was “form a campaign team” to operate in 2024.
In May, Gou was rejected for the Kuomintang nomination, his second defeat for the seat after finishing second in the party’s 2020 primaries. Gou pledged to support the candidate, New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-hi, so launching an independent run would be a reversal of that stance.
Despite their enormity and economic impact, Gou’s companies have been widely criticized for exploitative practices. Foxconn’s Shenzhen plants were infamous site of a suicidal epidemic that made international news and has done so its own Wikipedia page.
Nevertheless, Gou has amassed a significant following in Taiwanese politics, fueled by the perception of his business success and outlandish statements that often grab headlines. Discussing the motivations behind his 2020 presidential campaign, Gou mostly claimed that the Taiwanese sea deity Mazu inspired him to run in a dream.
This year, he has reiterated the claim, i added to his list of supernatural sponsors the “god of war”, Guanyu.
In his campaign for the KMT nomination, Gou also made international news when he proposed that Taiwan build a “robot army” of 80,000 as a self-defense strategy against a possible Chinese invasion. To say the least, it seemed like a unique campaign plan to many.
The most recent polls have picked up on Gou’s change in presidential direction, with most polls placing him in fourth place, somewhat competitive for runner-up status. More significant might be his fragmentation of the “pan-blue” opposition in the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan.
Polls also ask about scenarios in which Gou teams up with former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, whose TPP party takes somewhat of a “radical centrist” approach. In the unlikely event that Ko agreed to be Gou’s running mate, the combination could be competitive enough to win.
For now, it is not difficult to imagine that Gou might give in and return his support to the Kuomintang. If he decides to run, the potential chaos that ensues could turn Taiwan’s presidential race into a wild opening salvo in the already busy 2024 global election season.
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