TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Texas Governor Greg Abbott departed with a delegation on Friday (July 5) for a week-long visit to Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to recruit chipmakers to Texas.

Abott’s first stop was Taiwan, Texas's seventh-largest trading partner. His delegation highlighted the role Texas plays in global commerce with throughput of the Port of Houston ranking first in the U.S., and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport’s (DFW) ranking third in passenger volume and an important cargo transshipment center for the U.S., Mexico, and Central and South America, per ETtoday.

Abbott and his delegation will meet with business leaders and politicians critical to the future development of the global economy. Before his departure, he said Texas was leading the way, promoting freedom and opportunity through cooperation and two-way economic development to give the next generation more possibilities.

Abbott believes Texas is the key to the United States and hopes to promote emerging industries by providing a platform, especially in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing. Abbott says he looks forward to meeting business and political leaders from Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to strengthen partnerships and build innovative economies.

Abbott’s delegation includes his wife, Cecilia Abbott, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, five Texas legislators, and 23 Texas business representatives, per a press release from Abbott’s office.

“Texas offers businesses in critical and emerging industries, such as semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, across the country and around the world the tools and the opportunities to grow and thrive. I look forward to meeting with business and government leaders in Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan to strengthen our economic and cultural partnerships as we work together to forge the future of innovation,” Abbott said in the press release. 

Since taking office in 2015, Governor Abbott has led business development delegations to Cuba, France, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. In 2023 and 2024, Abbott signed economic development agreements between Texas and France and Texas and the U.K. to promote trade, encourage innovation, and attract more foreign direct investment to Texas.

This is Abbott's first visit to Taiwan and South Korea and his third visit to Japan.