Riley Walters

Senior Fellow

Global Economy Technology
Riley Walters

At A Glance:

Riley Walters is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute specializing in international economics and national security.

Biography

Riley Walters is a senior fellow at Hudson Institute specializing in international economics and national security.

His areas of expertise include international trade policy, investment regulations, technology and innovation, cybersecurity, and the intersection of economics and national security. He is also an expert on east Asian political affairs, primarily focusing on Japan and Taiwan. 

Mr. Walters is also a senior non-resident fellow with the Global Taiwan Institute. Prior to joining Hudson, he was a senior policy analyst and economist in the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation. Previously, he was a Penn Kemble fellow with the National Endowment for Democracy, a George C. Marshall fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a national security fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and a Kim Koo fellow with the Korea Society.

Mr. Walters is a prolific writer, contributing extensively to policy papers and media outlets including The Hill, Japan Times, Global Taiwan Brief, The Messenger, The Diplomat, the Washington Times, the National Interest, Geopolitical Intelligence Services, and others. Mr. Walters has also appeared extensively on domestic and international news, television, and radio services including TaiwanPlus, Nikkei Asia, Segye Daily, Al Jazeera, Radio Free Asia, Kyodo News, Politico, and more. 

Mr. Walters has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from George Mason University. He has previously lived in Japan, including one year living with strawberry farmers in Kumamoto prefecture and one year while studying at Sophia University in Tokyo. He is fluent in Japanese.

 

Events
Back to Riley Walters
13
December 2024
Past Event
US-Taiwan Trade and Technology for the Next US Administration
Featured Speakers:
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Peter Cleveland
Moderator:
Riley Walters
The TSMC facility in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 24, 2023. (Caitlin O'Hara via Getty Images)
13
December 2024
Past Event
US-Taiwan Trade and Technology for the Next US Administration

Join Hudson for a discussion on the trade and technology relationship between Washington and Taipei with US-Taiwan Business Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Senior Vice President Peter Cleveland.

The TSMC facility in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 24, 2023. (Caitlin O'Hara via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Peter Cleveland
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
05
December 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Security Needs for the Next US Administration
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Jason Hsu
Moderator:
Riley Walters
A Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jet approaches for landing at an air force base in Hualien, Taiwan, on May 24, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
05
December 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Security Needs for the Next US Administration

Will new administrations in Taipei and Washington deepen the nations’ relationship? Or will new challenges emerge? What does Taiwan need to boost its hard and soft powers? How can Taiwan build stronger whole-of-society resilience in areas such as food and energy security? Join Hudson experts for a discussion on these topics and more.

A Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jet approaches for landing at an air force base in Hualien, Taiwan, on May 24, 2024. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Miles Yu
Jason Hsu
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
15
August 2024
Past Event
One Year after Camp David: How Durable Are Trilateral Ties?
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper
Patrick M. Cronin
Myong-hyun Go
Koichiro Matsumoto
Tetsuo Kotani
Riley Walters
James J. Przystup
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, United States President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrive for a joint news conference on August 18, 2023, in Camp David, Maryland. (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
15
August 2024
Past Event
One Year after Camp David: How Durable Are Trilateral Ties?

Join Hudson Institute Asia-Pacific Security Chair Patrick Cronin and an expert panel as they consider the opportunities and problems confronting the future of the three nations’ cooperation.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, United States President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrive for a joint news conference on August 18, 2023, in Camp David, Maryland. (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper
Patrick M. Cronin
Myong-hyun Go
Koichiro Matsumoto
Tetsuo Kotani
Riley Walters
James J. Przystup
Learn More
01
August 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Energy Transition
Featured Speakers:
Brigham McCown
Tsaiying Lu
Dr. Tsung-Kuang Yeh
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Taiwan Power Company workers during a training exercise in Yilan, Taiwan, on April 23, 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP Getty Images)
01
August 2024
Past Event
Taiwan’s Energy Transition

Join Hudson as an expert panel discusses the current state of Taiwan’s energy transition and how the island’s energy mix might change in the next several years.

Taiwan Power Company workers during a training exercise in Yilan, Taiwan, on April 23, 2024. (Sam Yeh/AFP Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Brigham McCown
Tsaiying Lu
Dr. Tsung-Kuang Yeh
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
09
April 2024
Past Event
China’s Interference in Taiwan’s Election and Implications for America
Featured Speakers:
Chihhao Yu
Billion Lee
John Fuisz
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Election workers count ballots on January 13, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
09
April 2024
Past Event
China’s Interference in Taiwan’s Election and Implications for America

Join Hudson for a panel with some of the leading organizations combating the PRC’s influence operations in Taiwan and around the world.

Election workers count ballots on January 13, 2024, in Taipei, Taiwan. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Chihhao Yu
Billion Lee
John Fuisz
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
18
March 2024
Past Event
Furthering US-Japan Collaboration on Communications Security
Featured Speakers:
Yoshikazu Okamoto
Mark Cullinane
Hisashi Inoue
Moderator:
Riley Walters
The H2A-43 carrying date relay satellites lifts off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center on November 29, 2020, in Minamitane, Japan. (Photo by the Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
18
March 2024
Past Event
Furthering US-Japan Collaboration on Communications Security

Join Hudson for a discussion on how the US and Japan can work together to build the future of communications security.

The H2A-43 carrying date relay satellites lifts off from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Tanegashima Space Center on November 29, 2020, in Minamitane, Japan. (Photo by the Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Yoshikazu Okamoto
Mark Cullinane
Hisashi Inoue
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
23
January 2024
Past Event
A Look at Taiwan’s Election Results
Featured Speakers:
Bonnie Glaser
Ryan Hass
Russell Hsiao
Moderator:
Riley Walters
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter carries a Taiwan flag during National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)
23
January 2024
Past Event
A Look at Taiwan’s Election Results
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter carries a Taiwan flag during National Day celebrations in Taipei on October 10, 2021. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Bonnie Glaser
Ryan Hass
Russell Hsiao
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
04
December 2023
Past Event
The Quad’s Multidimensional Interest in Taiwan
Featured Speakers:
James J. Przystup
Yuko Mukai
Dhruva Jaishankar
Adam Leslie
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Taiwan's armed forces hold two days of routine drills to show combat readiness ahead of Lunar New Year holidays at a military base on January 11, 2023 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The self-ruled island of Taiwan continues to hold defensive drills, as tensions remain high in the Taiwan straits. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
04
December 2023
Past Event
The Quad’s Multidimensional Interest in Taiwan
Taiwan's armed forces hold two days of routine drills to show combat readiness ahead of Lunar New Year holidays at a military base on January 11, 2023 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The self-ruled island of Taiwan continues to hold defensive drills, as tensions remain high in the Taiwan straits. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
James J. Przystup
Yuko Mukai
Dhruva Jaishankar
Adam Leslie
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
26
September 2023
Past Event
Assessing US Trade Policy with Ambassador Susan Schwab
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Susan Schwab
Riley Walters
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26
September 2023
Past Event
Assessing US Trade Policy with Ambassador Susan Schwab

Hudson Senior Fellow Riley Walters will discuss these questions and more with former US Trade Representative Ambassador Susan Schwab.

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Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Susan Schwab
Riley Walters
Learn More
27
March 2023
Past Event
Japan’s Cyber and Energy Security
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Motohiro Tsuchiya
Prof. Koichiro Tanaka
Riley Walters
japan
27
March 2023
Past Event
Japan’s Cyber and Energy Security

Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair hosts two professors from Keio University—Dr. Motohiro Tsuchiya and Prof. Koichiro Tanaka—to discuss the hurdles Tokyo needs to overcome to improve its active cyber defense and transition to different energy sources for both civilian and military use.

japan
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Motohiro Tsuchiya
Prof. Koichiro Tanaka
Riley Walters
Learn More
14
December 2022
Past Event
Taiwan Policy in the New Congress with Rep. Don Bacon
Featured Speakers:
Representative Don Bacon
Riley Walters
Taiwan Flag
14
December 2022
Past Event
Taiwan Policy in the New Congress with Rep. Don Bacon

Riley Walters discusses the future of US-Taiwan relations with Representative Don Bacon, a member of the Congressional Taiwan Caucus and House Armed Services Committee.

Taiwan Flag
Featured Speakers:
Representative Don Bacon
Riley Walters
Learn More
01
November 2022
Past Event
How to Make Japan’s Economy Competitive
Featured Speakers:
Representative Keisuke Suzuki
Riley Walters
Fumio Kishida (2L), Prime Minister of Japan, stands with John Tuttle (2R), Vice Chairman of the NYSE Group before ringing in the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City
01
November 2022
Past Event
How to Make Japan’s Economy Competitive

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida wants to build “New Capitalism” in the hopes of pulling Japan out of its economic slump. But will this effort be enough to boost Japan’s competitiveness? Please join us for a discussion with Representative Keisuke Suzuki, former state minister of finance and foreign affairs.

Fumio Kishida (2L), Prime Minister of Japan, stands with John Tuttle (2R), Vice Chairman of the NYSE Group before ringing in the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City
Featured Speakers:
Representative Keisuke Suzuki
Riley Walters
Learn More
17
October 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | Strengthening Taiwan’s Trade and Economic Stability
Featured Speakers:
Wendy Cutler
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Abby Fu
Moderator:
Riley Walters
taiwan walters china economy
17
October 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | Strengthening Taiwan’s Trade and Economic Stability

As the US and its allies talk more about how to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, policymakers should focus more on how to deter a Chinese economic takeover of the island. How can the US and Taiwan build confidence in their trade and economic partnerships?

taiwan walters china economy
Featured Speakers:
Wendy Cutler
Rupert Hammond-Chambers
Abby Fu
Moderator:
Riley Walters
Learn More
18
April 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | What to Expect from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
Featured Speakers:
Lotta Danielsson
John Lee
Riley Walters
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks alongside Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore in the East Room of the White House on March 29, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
18
April 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | What to Expect from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

This event will premiere on this page at 12:00 p.m. EDT, Monday, April 18. Register for the event here.

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks alongside Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore in the East Room of the White House on March 29, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Lotta Danielsson
John Lee
Riley Walters
Learn More
09
March 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | US-Japan Cooperation on Next Generation Telecom
Featured Speakers:
Hiroyuki Suzuki
Yutaka Kitagami
Melissa Griffith
Thomas Duesterberg
Riley Walters
Signal receiving tower equipment at sunset. (Getty Images)
09
March 2022
Past Event
Virtual Event | US-Japan Cooperation on Next Generation Telecom

This event will premiere on this page at 8:00 a.m. EST, Wednesday, March 9. Register for the event here.

Signal receiving tower equipment at sunset. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Hiroyuki Suzuki
Yutaka Kitagami
Melissa Griffith
Thomas Duesterberg
Riley Walters
Learn More
17
December 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | Re-examining the CPTPP and America’s Trade Priorities
Featured Speakers:
Satohiro Akimoto
Du Huynh
Charles Freeman
Riley Walters
Roy Lee
Official picture after signing the rebranded 11-nation Pacific trade pact Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Santiago, on March 8, 2018. (Getty Images)
17
December 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | Re-examining the CPTPP and America’s Trade Priorities

This event will premiere on this page at 10:00 a.m. EST, Friday, December 17. Register for the event here.

Official picture after signing the rebranded 11-nation Pacific trade pact Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Santiago, on March 8, 2018. (Getty Images)
Featured Speakers:
Satohiro Akimoto
Du Huynh
Charles Freeman
Riley Walters
Roy Lee
Learn More
03
November 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | What is President Biden’s Trade Policy for Asia?
Featured Speakers:
Kevin Hassett
Ashley Tellis
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Riley Walters
Seth Cropsey
03
November 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | What is President Biden’s Trade Policy for Asia?

Please be advised: This event will premiere on this page at 12:00 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, November 3. Register for the event here.

Featured Speakers:
Kevin Hassett
Ashley Tellis
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Riley Walters
Seth Cropsey
Learn More
30
March 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | Securing US-Japan Supply Chains After the Pandemic
Featured Speakers:
Jingo Kikukawa
Shihoko Goto
Thomas Duesterberg
John Lee
Riley Walters
30
March 2021
Past Event
Virtual Event | Securing US-Japan Supply Chains After the Pandemic

Join Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair Deputy Director Riley Walters, Senior Fellows Thomas Duesterberg and John Lee, and Shihoko Goto and Jingo Kikukawa

Featured Speakers:
Jingo Kikukawa
Shihoko Goto
Thomas Duesterberg
John Lee
Riley Walters
Learn More
22
November 2019
Past Event
The Chinese Threat to Taiwanese Sovereignty
Featured Speakers:
Christian Whiton
Rick Fisher
Ian Easton
Riley Walters
Seth Cropsey
22
November 2019
Past Event
The Chinese Threat to Taiwanese Sovereignty

Hudson Institute will host an event on increasing Chinese pressure on Taiwan.

Featured Speakers:
Christian Whiton
Rick Fisher
Ian Easton
Riley Walters
Seth Cropsey
Learn More
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U.S. President Donald Trump (L) waves as Foxconn CEO Terry Gou (R) and Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group watch at the groundbreaking for the Foxconn Technology Group computer screen plant on June 28, 2018 in Mt Pleasant, Wisconsin. Foxconn has committed to build a $10 billion plant in what it has named the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park, and to creating 13,000 Wisconsin jobs. (Photo by Andy Manis/Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump waves as Foxconn CEO Terry Gou and Masayoshi Son, chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group, watch at the groundbreaking for the Foxconn Technology Group computer screen plant on June 28, 2018, in Mt. Pleasant, Wisconsin. (Photo by Andy Manis/Getty Images)
The US-Japan Relationship Is Stronger Than Steel
Riley Walters
Riley Walters
Riley Walters
Senior Fellow
Riley Walters
Commentary
4 Min Read