Taipei Economic and Cultural Office director praises Wyoming‑Taiwan ties, cites trade and chip industry links

Daniel Chen, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, addressed the Wyoming House on March 4 to thank lawmakers for a joint resolution supporting Taiwan and to outline economic and cultural ties between Taiwan and Wyoming.

Chen told the chamber that Taiwan is “the eighth largest trading partner of the United States” and said Taiwanese investment in the United States in 2024 had “reached 100,000,000,000 US dollars, which helped sustain 360,000 jobs in The States.” He also cited recent Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) investment figures discussed in news reports.

Chen framed Taiwan as a strategic partner in the Indo‑Pacific with outsized importance in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and maritime traffic, saying “92% of advanced chips are manufactured in Taiwan” and that “over 50% of maritime transportation goes through Taiwan Strait.” He praised the Wyoming‑Taiwan sisterhood, marking its 41st anniversary, and cited past cooperation including COVID‑era donations and a driver-license reciprocity agreement.

Representative Provenza thanked Chen and other House members expressed support for continuing the relationship. Chen suggested future collaboration could include expanded exports of Wyoming agricultural and energy products to Taiwan and reciprocal investment in emerging sectors such as quantum technology and green energy.

The director’s remarks were a ceremonial briefing and did not include proposed legislation on the House floor.