Expanding Horizons: Arizona Strengthens Ties with Taiwan
In a move that marks a significant step in international collaboration, Arizona has seen a bolstering of ties with Taiwan, driven largely by substantial investments from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). This week, a delegation of around 24 Taiwanese officials, headed by Han Kuo-yu, Taiwan’s political leader, made a pivotal visit to Arizona as part of a broader U.S. tour.
Phoenix has shared a longstanding relationship with Taipei, but the construction of TSMC’s manufacturing facility near Loop 303 has been a landmark collaborative project. More recently, Phoenix has broadened the scope of its partnership with Taiwan, as evidenced by a new agreement with a Taiwanese health research organization, indicating a shift beyond the semiconductor industry.
Phoenix Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington emphasized the city’s ambitions to diversify and deepen economic ties with Taiwan, particularly in the fields of bioscience and healthcare. “While much of our recent collaboration has focused on semiconductors and advance manufacturing, especially TSMC, we see tremendous opportunity to deepen our relationship in bioscience, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare innovation,” she stated.
According to the Arizona Commerce Authority, Taiwan emerged as Arizona’s second-largest trade partner last year, only trailing Mexico. Mayor Hodge Washington expressed her vision for Arizona to serve as a strategic hub for Taiwanese investments in the United States. “We welcome Taiwan’s bioscience and pharmaceutical leaders to explore Phoenix as a gateway to the U.S. market and as a long-term partner in innovation. The next breakthrough in healthcare could come through a collaboration between Taiwan and Phoenix,” she noted.
Reports from Taiwanese media suggest that Han Kuo-yu is also scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., to engage with U.S. congressional members, further indicating the strengthening of U.S.-Taiwan relations.
—
Read More Arizona News
