Taiwan thought it had negotiated a solution to US tariffs in the form of its trade deal with Washington. But this week the country finds itself the target of a Section 301 investigation over alleged failure to prevent forced labor. The legislature manages to approve a stopgap measure to keep the purchase of US weapons systems moving along despite a wider deadlock over defense spending. And the escalating conflict over Iran with its resulting spike in oil prices sees Taiwan staring down the (US$100) barrel when it comes to securing the energy supply that powers the nation’s industries.