Over the October-to-January period, Taiwan's currency lost 13% of its value against the American dollar.

ECONOMIST: Confusionism

The desire to regain control over monetary policy was one of the reasons South Korea let the won rise in 1989 and Taiwan allowed its currency to appreciate in 1988.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

When the value of Taiwan's currency ballooned in 1996, he declined to pass along a 10% rate increase by his supplier there and, instead, took a hit on his gross margins.

FORBES: Staying cool