Taiwan Opens New Representative Office in Arizona as US Economic Ties Deepen

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, for a three-day visit that includes the opening of Taiwan’s new representative office in the city, as Taipei seeks to deepen economic, technological and trade cooperation with the United States.

Lin arrived in Phoenix after visits to Taiwan’s diplomatic allies Belize and Guatemala. During his Arizona trip, he is scheduled to preside over the unveiling of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix and meet Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Taiwanese business leaders and members of the Taiwanese community.

The new office is expected to become Taiwan’s 14th representative office in the United States. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the Phoenix office will provide consular services to Taiwanese nationals and businesses in Arizona and New Mexico while promoting cooperation in trade, technology, education, culture and investment.

The opening comes as Taiwanese companies, particularly semiconductor firms, expand their presence in Arizona. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has established a major manufacturing operation in the state, helping attract other Taiwanese suppliers and businesses to the region.

TSMC’s first Arizona plant began mass production in late 2024, while construction of a second facility has been completed and a third is under construction. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the company’s investment has encouraged more Taiwanese supply-chain companies to establish operations in the United States.

Reuters reported that TSMC is investing $265 billion in Arizona to manufacture semiconductors. Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry described the Phoenix office as a milestone in the economic and trade partnership between Taiwan and the United States.

Lin is also expected to visit TSMC’s Arizona facility and meet Taiwanese companies investing in the state to discuss their business needs and challenges. An accompanying delegation includes representatives from Taiwan’s National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association and businesses involved in artificial intelligence, technology, biomedical industries, tourism and financial services.

The American Institute in Taiwan’s Washington managing director, Ingrid Larson, is accompanying Lin during his Arizona visit. The delegation is also expected to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Arizona Commerce Authority and Taiwan’s National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Association.

The visit comes against the wider backdrop of Taiwan-US relations and tensions between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan. The United States does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taipei but maintains unofficial relations and remains Taiwan’s major security partner and arms supplier. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official exchanges between Taiwan and foreign governments.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the Phoenix office reflects the growing presence of Taiwanese companies and the increasing interaction between Taiwan and Arizona. The ministry said the new office would help connect Taiwan’s businesses with local governments, industries and communities in the southwestern United States.

Lin’s visit follows the recent meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, although Taiwanese officials and analysts have said the Phoenix office opening was planned in advance rather than arranged specifically in response to that summit.

The development marks another expansion of Taiwan’s unofficial diplomatic and economic presence in the United States, with semiconductors and supply-chain cooperation increasingly forming an important part of ties between Taipei and Washington.