Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

While meeting with a delegation led by US State of Idaho Governor Brad Little on the morning of October 21, President Tsai Ing-wen stated that Idaho and Taiwan share a long friendship and close ties in commerce and agriculture. She expressed hope that the two sides will continue to bolster bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the future to create even more new possibilities together.

A translation of the president's remarks follows:

I want to first express my gratitude to Governor Little for choosing Taiwan as his first destination for this round of foreign visits. His trade delegation will help deepen commercial ties between Taiwan and the state of Idaho.

Idaho and Taiwan share a long friendship, and this year marks our 35th year of sister-state relations. In addition to leading this delegation to Taiwan, Governor Little designated April 7 as "Taiwan Day" in honor of the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act this year. We take Governor Little's friendship and support for Taiwan to heart.

Taiwan and Idaho also share close commercial ties. Taiwan is Idaho's fourth largest source of imports, and second largest export destination. Micron, a world-renowned semiconductor company and Taiwan's largest foreign investor, is headquartered in Idaho. So we share close exchanges across both official and industrial channels.

Last month, Taiwan sent an agricultural goodwill mission to Idaho, and Governor Little gave them a warm reception. We signed a letter of intent to purchase agricultural products, and the trip brought outstanding results. I am confident that we will continue to bolster our exchanges and cooperation in agriculture in the future.

I know that Governor Little's main policy goal is to create a positive environment for families and businesses in Idaho. And the 5+2 industrial innovation program that we have promoted over the past three years also seeks to inject new momentum into Taiwan's future economy through industrial transformation.

I am confident that through our synergetic and innovative policies, in addition to the MOUs we have signed in renewable energy, semiconductors, aerospace, and innovative industries, we can create even more new possibilities together.

In closing, I want to wish Governor Little and all the delegation members a smooth and successful visit, and I welcome you to visit often in the future.

American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Office Director William Brent Christensen was also present at the meeting.