TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — After arriving on his first visit to Taiwan, Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Sunday (July 7) and announced the opening of a trade representative office for the State of Texas.
On Sunday morning, Lai welcomed Abbott to the Presidential Office. Lai extended his gratitude to Abbot for congratulating him when he was elected as president, and said that by making this visit, Abbott reaffirms the commitment to democratic values shared by Texas, the U.S. and Taiwan, reported CNA.
At a Sunday, Abbott announced that Texas will establish a permanent trade representative office in Taiwan, making it the 23rd U.S. state to open an office in Taipei, per CNA. Abbott also signed a letter of intent to boost economic cooperation with Taiwan at a press conference with the Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝).
During Abbott’s meeting with Lai, the president said that Taiwan is Texas’ ninth largest export market, and that in 2023 exports from the state exceeded US$11.5 billion (US$372.9 billion), making Texas an important trading partner. Lai said that he is happy to hear that Texas will open a representative office, and he looks forward to overseeing the strengthening of relations between Taiwan and Texas over the coming years.
Abbott responded that the relationship between Texas and Taiwan is an important one for the development of both economies and for many global industries. In order to boost trade and reciprocal investments in technology, Abbott said he will personally work with Taiwanese companies interested in coming to Texas to ensure successful partnerships, per CNA.
The Texas governor said that Texas economy continues to grow and has become a major economic engine in the U.S. and the world. Abbott invited business to invest in his state, calling Texas a “state of opportunity,” and said that he has high hopes to strengthen the state’s relationship with Taiwan.