President Lai Ching-te received a delegation led by Kate Gallego, mayor of Arizona's Phoenix City, Jan. 14. He looked forward to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s long-term development in the state, accompanied by job creation and further industry clusters.
The president hoped that Taiwan and the U.S. would expedite the signing of an avoidance of double taxation agreement that would help facilitate further trade and industry. Lai noted that in recent years the U.S. has become Taiwan’s largest overseas direct investment location, accounting for over 40 percent of the country’s overall foreign investment.
Lai characterized TSMC’s chip foundry in Arizona as an iconic achievement and thanked Gallego and the city for forging a business-friendly environment. He added that Taiwan has a comprehensive semiconductor and high-tech industry ecosystem and welcomes a democratic supply chain in these particular industries with the U.S.
In response, Gallego said that Phoenix and Taipei Cities are soon to celebrate their 50th anniversary as sister cities, added to which direct flights between the two are to launch soon, evidence of their long and close ties. She noted that they have also enjoyed cooperation in the aerospace, biotech and pharmaceutical industries for some time. (POC-E)
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