If the tax thing goes through and it leads to traders and their wares becoming migratory I have the following hope:
Insert low sec as natural borders between the empires.
I've always hoped for it even though I've never been a pirate.
If piracy becomes a major issue due to all faction borders being low-sec areas by default we will have one out of two scenarios; the pirate numbers inflate until they choke all trade with impunity, or perhaps, the number of traders that need safe passage spur more mercs/anti-pirates to guard the trade-lanes better and actually provide a service the traders will pay for. That or perhaps many traders will pay pirate groups under the table to let them go. Highwayman taxing stations \o/
The idealist in me would want the latter option to happen, more mercs and such being paid to guard the traders and haulers or securing gates etc. while some traders will pay pirates to let them go... while cheering for their competition losing their stuff, etc.
The cynical realist in me says it will be pirate heaven and no such deals or payments with haulers will be honored. Why take only the ransom when you can get the kill (killmailz, wooh) and tears (he mad) and loot, as well as the ransom/tax isk as well?
I'd love low-sec borders as well. Regardless of the situation with piracy the militia would likely have a blast killing them, or the pirate halves of them camping the gates themselves, to be targets for other militias as well.
And finally, on the topic at large, I'd just like to say that I'm glad to see these changes. It's not all that needs be done, but the changes will be positive overall, I think, and they are a very good start to making FW more interesting and competitive. Right now FW is doable, but rather dull most the time. I really hope this will change for the better, and it likely will. Tax changes based on FW performance would be awesome. At worst the mega-trade hub is transient and temporarily changes locations, at best people will care more for FW and pay attention to how it goes.
Plus I love the idea of squeezing the fat, bloated hole that is Jita if/when the Fed takes all Caldari space. Should it ever happen it will be a very nice revenge for the months of occupation.