The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER) deeply mourns the passing of Dr. Huai-Shing Yen, former Senior Deputy Executive Director and Associate Research Fellow at the CIER’s WTO & RTA Center, who died on March 12, 2026. Her colleagues at the CIER were profoundly shocked and saddened by the news and wish to express their deepest condolences and heartfelt sorrow.
Dr. Yen held a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Wisconsin. Over the course of her distinguished career, she devoted herself to the field of international trade and economics, specializing in issues related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and regional trade agreements (RTAs). Renowned for her scholarly rigor and deep expertise, she made outstanding contributions to research on the evolution of the global trading system and Taiwan’s trade policy strategy. She was instrumental in numerous major research initiatives, produced a prolific body of work, and on multiple occasions provided policy recommendations to the government—demonstrating exceptional professionalism and a strong sense of public duty that earned her widespread recognition across sectors.
At the Forefront of National Negotiations, Advancing U.S.-Taiwan Economic Ties
In 2024, the Executive Yuan recruited Dr. Yen in recognition of her expertise, appointing her chairperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Taiwan-U.S. Affairs Committee, while also naming her deputy chief negotiator at the Executive Yuan’s Office of Trade Negotiations. After the U.S. government announced its reciprocal tariff policy in April 2025, Dr. Yen threw herself into the work of the negotiating team. Drawing on her deep expertise and extensive practical experience, she made major contributions to advancing U.S.-Taiwan tariff talks and demonstrated exceptional skill in policy coordination and international communication.
A Profound Loss for the CIER, an Enduring Legacy
To her colleagues, Dr. Yen was humble, sincere, meticulous, and deeply responsible. Whether in research or teamwork, she consistently demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and warmth. She was not only an outstanding scholar but also a trusted colleague whose professional example and personal character will remain in the hearts of all who worked alongside her.
Dr. Yen’s passing represents a tremendous loss for the CIER, and an equally significant one for Taiwan’s international trade research and negotiation community. The dedication she brought to her work and the body of research she built over her career will continue to serve as an invaluable foundation and source of inspiration for future generations of scholars and practitioners.
All members of the CIER express their most profound condolences on the passing of Dr. Yen and extend their sincere sympathies to her family during this difficult time. Going forward, the CIER is committed to carrying on her professional spirit by continuing to deepen its research in international trade and economics in the service of the nation’s development. Dr. Huai-Shing Yen’s inspiring legacy will endure forever.