Texas is poised to open a new state office in Taiwan (link to sun-news article), an initiative announced by Governor Greg Abbott during his economic development trip to Asia on Sunday. This move, alongside the already established New Mexico Taiwan state office, is expected to benefit the Borderplex region by strengthening trade and cultural ties between El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and Taiwan.
The Borderplex region’s strategic location provides easy access to both American and Mexican markets, fostering robust cross-border trade and economic collaboration. This area benefits from a well-developed infrastructure, including major highways, railways, and airports, facilitating efficient transportation and logistics. Additionally, the Borderplex boasts a skilled and cost-effective labor force, thanks to a strong tradition of manufacturing and technical education. Companies in the region can also take advantage of favorable trade agreements, such as the USMCA, which streamline operations and reduce tariffs. Furthermore, the supportive business environment, characterized by economic incentives and a collaborative network of industry stakeholders, makes the Borderplex an attractive destination for manufacturers seeking to optimize production and expand their market reach.
“Texas and Taiwan are critical economic partners that seek to drive the future of innovation,” Abbott said in a news release from Taipei, the capital of the self-governing island off the coast of China. “Both initiatives — an economic agreement and a new State of Texas Taiwan Office — will strengthen the economic and cultural relationship between Texas and Taiwan.”
Despite the lack of official diplomatic ties between the United States and Taiwan, the U.S. State Department acknowledges a “robust unofficial relationship” between the two, emphasizing shared values, deep commercial and economic links, and strong people-to-people connections.
This robust partnership is exemplified by the increasing presence and success of Taiwanese enterprises in the Borderplex region. Companies such as Foxconn, Admiral Cable, HOTA, CymMetrik, Cena, Pegatron, and others have expanded their operations there, solidifying the Borderplex as a leading destination for Taiwanese onshoring and nearshoring activities.
