Governor Abbott meets with Taiwanese President Lai in Taipei | Office of the Texas Governor

July 7, 2024 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te today while in Taipei, the first full day of a three-nation economic development mission to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

“I was honored to meet with President Lai Ching-te today to discuss strengthening economic and cultural ties between Texas and Taiwan,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas and Taiwan have both experienced miraculous economic growth over the past several decades, becoming pivotal economies for our regions and driving the future of innovation by providing economic freedom and opportunity to our people. I congratulate President Lai on his recent inauguration and look forward to working together to deepen our partnership as we build a stronger future for Texas and Taiwan.”

Photos and video of Governor Abbott and the Texas delegation’s visit to Taiwan are available here. Also included is reporting by Gromer Jeffers of the Dallas Morning News.

During the meeting, Governor Abbott and Chairman Lai explored opportunities for Texas and Taiwan to work together to strengthen trade and investment relationships in critical economic sectors like semiconductors, energy, and electric vehicle manufacturing. The Governor also highlighted the myriad economic opportunities Texas offers to businesses around the world, including a highly skilled workforce, low taxes, and the best business climate in the United States.

Following the meeting with President Lai, Governor Abbott joined Taiwanese Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo for a historic signing of an Economic Development Statement of Intent (EDSI) between Texas and Taiwan. The EDSI was signed in recognition of the strong economic ties between Texas and Taiwan and to encourage greater investment, trade, and collaboration in key sectors to support the future of innovation.

The signing was followed by the official announcement of the establishment of the Texas State Office in Taiwan. Operating within the Governor’s Office under the Texas Bureau of Economic Development and Tourism, the Texas State Office in Taiwan will facilitate closer cooperation and foster mutually beneficial economic growth and cultural exchanges. Following the historic announcement, Governor Abbott attended a luncheon hosted by Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-Lung, where the Governor met with business leaders from across Taiwan.

Governor Abbott then met with GlobalWafers and Sino-American Silicon Products President and CEO Doris Hsu to thank her for her company’s continued investment in Texas. GlobiTech is a global leader in the semiconductor industry with a $5 billion 300-millimeter silicon wafer fab in Sherman, Texas, the first new silicon wafer fab in the United States in more than two decades. Texas has led the nation in semiconductor exports for 13 years. During the meeting, the Governor and Ms. Hsu explored ways Texas and Taiwan can work together to increase production of critical components for the global semiconductor industry.

Governor Abbott was joined at the meetings and announcements by First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Secretary of State Jane Nelson, Representative Angie Chen Button, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism Adriana Cruz, Secretary of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors Adrian Cannady, Texas Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Aaron Demerson and the Texas delegation.

The following events are scheduled for the second day of the economic development mission to Seoul, South Korea:

• Meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul
• Lunch with the Korea International Trade Association
• Reception at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea

Taiwan Texas led the country in terms of foreign direct investment in the country in 2022, exceeding $5 billion. Over the past 10 years through 2023, Taiwanese companies have invested $5.29 billion in eight foreign direct investment projects, creating more than 2,200 jobs in Texas. In the first five months of 2024, Taiwanese companies have invested $103 million in two additional projects that are expected to create more than 220 new jobs in Texas. Texas’ trade with Taiwan totaled $21.3 billion in 2023, making Taiwan Texas’ seventh-largest total trading partner.

The trip is sponsored and funded by the Texas Economic Development Corporation, an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to marketing and promoting Texas as a premier business destination. Along with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, these two organizations are the cornerstone of Governor Abbott’s economic development agenda to build a bigger, better Texas.