Taiwan opens de facto consulate in Arizona amid US chip investment

The new office in Phoenix is seen as a significant development in the economic and trade partnership between Taiwan and the United States. Taiwan's foreign ministry stated that the office marks a "milestone" and that the ministry would continue to link diplomacy, trade, economics, and industry to deepen the mutually "beneficial and symbiotic partnership between Taiwan and the United States based on mutual trust."

This visit occurs as Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC is investing $265 billion in Arizona to establish semiconductor manufacturing facilities. While senior Taiwanese officials visit the US periodically, President Lai Ching-te has not yet visited under the current US administration.

In May, US President Donald Trump indicated he was keeping a new arms sales package for Taiwan on hold, describing it as a negotiating chip. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Washington last month, after which Trump stated that Xi understood his position on Taiwan. China has consistently demanded an end to US arms sales to Taiwan.