TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Thursday (Nov. 7) thanked the US government for encouraging states and top companies to expand ties with Taiwan.

The Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and State recently penned a joint letter calling for closer trade and investment with Taiwan. “Broadening and deepening our economic ties with Taiwan helps us in our work with Taiwan to build a resilient and interconnected Taiwan economy and society,” the letter said. It pointed out that Taiwan is America’s eighth-largest trading partner and seventh-largest market for agricultural exports.

MOFA said the letter is the third of its kind since 2019. In recent years, bilateral relations have flourished on both a national and local level. In 2023, governors from six states visited Taiwan, the ministry said. Numerous states have opened or reinstated trade offices in Taiwan, demonstrating the growth of Taiwan-US cooperation and increasingly close economic ties, it added.

MOFA pledged to deepen cross-sector partnerships with the US, covering federal, local, corporate, and civil society engagements. “As partners who share values and complementary industrial strengths, Taiwan and the US will continue working closely together,” the ministry said.

Last month, the Department of the Treasury announced that the two countries will soon begin talks on a double tax avoidance agreement.