TAIPEI, Taiwan – Looking to build on an already thriving relationship, Gov. Greg Abbott kicked off his tour of East Asia on Sunday by opening a Texas-Taiwan office, signing a letter of intent to strengthen business ties and committing to help the island nation have a greater voice on the world stage.
“We understand, both in Texas and in the United States, the importance of a strong Taiwan for the future of the entire globe,” Abbott said on a stage with Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo before signing a letter of intent to foster stronger economic ties with Taiwan.
“One of the best things that we can do to strengthen Taiwan and strengthen its future is by expanding our economic ties, so that Taiwan grows even stronger economically,” he said.
Before signing the letter, Abbott and members of the Texas delegation, including business and political leaders, met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.
“The role that Taiwan plays on the global stage is so incredibly important for so many reasons,” Abbott told the Taiwanese president. “Trade is an obvious one, semiconductors technology, innovation is another one. But what you do also is so important for world peace and for democracy.”
Lai thanked Abbott for his visit and for the economic development initiatives the new Texas-Taiwan office will spearhead.
“We are delighted to welcome you to Taiwan,” Lai said. “During this trip you will open the state of Texas-Taiwan office and sign an economic development statement of intent. I assure that the office will create new and trailblazing opportunities for an even stronger collaboration between Taiwanese and US businesses.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs an economic development agreement with Jyh-Huei Kuo, Taiwan’s minister of economic affairs.(Gromer Jeffers Jr. / Gromer Jeffers Jr.)
Taiwan, with a semiconductor industry critical to the world’s economy, is Texas’ seventh-largest trade partner, totaling $21.3 billion in 2023.
It’s the world’s largest producer of semiconductors, providing more than 90% of advanced chips used in cell phones, aircraft, electric vehicles and artificial intelligence.
Taiwan-based companies have been expanding into Texas for years. GlobiTech, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based GlobalWafer Co., is building a $5 billion silicon wafer plant in Sherman that is expected to create at least 1,500 new jobs. As an incentive to build, Texas provided a $15 million cash grant from its enterprise fund.
According to Abbott’s office, Taiwan in 2022 led all nations in foreign direct investment in Texas with more than $5 billion. Over the past 10 years, Taiwanese companies have created more than 2,200 jobs in Texas.
The opening of the Taiwan-Texas office in Taipei is a historic event, Abbott said.
“This is the first time this century that Texas has opened up an office like this in some other country other than Mexico,” he said. “So of all the countries in the entire world, that shows you how important Taiwan is to Texas.”
Abbott’s visit comes as tensions continue between China and Taiwan.
Taiwan has been independently governed since 1949, but China views the island as part of its territory and hasn’t ruled out the use of force to unify the nations.
Last year Texas passed a resolution in support of Taiwan, and lawmakers hope it’s part of a series of moves to link the Lone Star State with the island nation.
In 2023, Texas lawmakers provided funding to open an office in Taiwan.
“I made it a priority this last budget cycle to make sure there’s actual dollars attached and ensure that Taiwan is still a priority, just because of the amount of semiconductor manufacturing that Taiwan does and the opportunity for more of that to come to United States, and more specifically Texas,” said Jacey Jetton, R-Richmond.
Jetton said it was important for Texas to stand with Taiwan amid the situation with China.
“As a Korean American, I recognize that this region of the world – between Japan, Korea and Taiwan – is critical for innovation and democracy,” he said.
The trip to Taiwan was emotional for state Rep. Angie Chen Button, who came to the United States in the late 1970s.
On the way to the Presidential Palace, the bus carrying Texans passed the high school Button attended while growing up in Taipei.
She gave remarks at most of the meetings Abbott and delegates attended and has helped spearhead Texas outreach to East Asia for years.
“This has been my dream,” Button said of the relationship between Texas and Taiwan.
“It’s such an important cause to do business with Taiwan,” she told The Dallas Morning News. “It’s especially important to North Texas with all the culture and diversity.”
Abbott left Taiwan on Sunday for Seoul, South Korea. He’ll meet Monday with the country’s minister of foreign affairs, have lunch with business leaders and attend a reception at the U.S. Embassy. He’ll visit Samsung facilities Tuesday.
Abbott is leading a delegation that includes his wife, Cecilia Abbott, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, and GOP state Reps. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, Button and Jetton.
According to Abbott’s office, the trip is sponsored and paid for by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization “responsible for marketing and promoting Texas.”
