US-Taiwan relations reach record strength through tech investment

Raymond Greene, the de facto U.S. ambassador to Taiwan, stated that bilateral relations between the United States and Taiwan have ‘never been stronger’ due to deepening cooperation in high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Greene highlighted that Taiwanese investments are playing a critical role in the re-industrialization of the United States, specifically noting significant projects in Arizona and Texas. A primary driver of this trend is TSMC, which has reached a total investment scale of $265 billion in Arizona. Conversely, U.S. companies are expanding their technological partnerships by establishing operations in Taiwan’s semiconductor hubs, such as Hsinchu and Taipei.

To bolster the semiconductor workforce, new initiatives were announced to encourage academic exchange. These include a $20 million private donation to the University of Arizona to support study abroad programs and the Fulbright Semiconductor Scholarship, which is slated to send graduate students to National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in 2027. Additionally, the Taiwan Foundation for Higher Education International Cooperation and the U.S. SEMI Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding to promote talent development.