Taiwanese investors and businesses: Forging a path through global transitions

While we may be weathering the COVID-19 pandemic, the geopolitical fractures and economic decoupling that reshaped the global business landscape in 2020 have continued to accelerate throughout 2021. It might be too early to say the global markets are "back to business," but there are strong signs that we are on the right track to return to normalcy.

In the Americas, the transactional markets are booming, particularly for M&A and capital markets transactions. The expected passing of a new significant infrastructure bill by the US Biden Administration is expected to create significant infrastructure spending and investment opportunities in the years ahead. Within Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), we see the rapid emergence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) thematic investments, as well as a renewed focus on technology and healthcare transactions. Private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) investments into Africa, often viewed as the next growth frontier, have also increased. In Asia-Pacific, Sino-US decoupling and the emergence of special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) have given rise to significant changes in traditional fundraising avenues and exits.

Moreover, these trends are taking place amid the continuing uncertainties of the world’s varying responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and complex, new global regulatory developments involving trade, sanctions and other geopolitical business issues. For companies and investors based in Taiwan, it can be a challenge to navigate these global risks while seeking out the many growth opportunities that still exist.

We hope this year's report for Taiwanese businesses and investors provides helpful guidance amid a time of historic global transitions.

We begin by reviewing European competition authorities’ heightened focus on the technology sector and tough approach to technology mergers. Similarly, Taiwanese companies doing business in the US may feel the impact as US antitrust policy increasingly targets the technology industry.

Taiwanese businesses and investors should prepare for foreign direct investment (FDI) regulatory scrutiny early in their deal processes, particularly in cross-border M&A transactions involving Europe, the US and other countries, as well as investments into "sensitive" sectors that increasingly include technology, healthcare and other data-driven industries.

Due to the ongoing regulatory changes, global and regional businesses involved in US-Sino trade should balance the competing restrictions while maintaining a cautious approach.

Taiwanese companies exposed to the US market need to understand the rise in US disputes over standard essential patents (SEPs) and how US juries will likely resolve related damages.

We will also discuss how the SPAC and de-SPAC process can help high-potential target companies gain liquidity and the particular opportunities this presents for Taiwanese companies.

Finally, our update on Asia-Pacific financing trends presents insights into areas of financing optimism and robust deal activity throughout the capital markets.

We look forward to discussing these and other issues with you.