Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb leads newest US delegation to Taiwan after Pelosi journey

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb led the most recent United States delegation to Taiwan on Sunday amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and China following a quick go to to the island by Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) earlier this month.

The governor is main state and Purdue College officers in a four-day journey to Asia, which incorporates two days in Taiwan and two days in South Korea. The journey follows a current settlement between Purdue College and the Taiwan-based MediaTek to construct a brand new semiconductor design middle, based on a information launch.

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“I couldn’t be extra energized to spend this week constructing new relationships, reinforcing very long time ones and strengthening key sector partnerships with Taiwan and South Korea,” Holcomb mentioned in a press release. “This week marks my second journey to South Korea as Governor, and I'm additionally proud to be the primary U.S. governor to go to Taiwan since earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m dedicated to constructing an financial system of the longer term with these international companions who're serving to propel Indiana ahead by creating tomorrow’s companies, at present.”

Holcomb's delegation will meet with Taiwanese officers to strengthen financial and educational ties.

The semiconductor business has been the main focus of U.S. lawmakers, prompting Congress to move the bipartisan CHIPS Act, which can make the U.S. extra aggressive with China in expertise improvement. Semiconductors are essential for setting up electronics, however factories have struggled to maintain up with market demand. The CHIPS Act gives $52 billion to semiconductor factories and billions extra to fund innovation, analysis, and technological developments within the U.S.

The invoice was signed into regulation by President Joe Biden earlier this month.

Holcomb is the most recent U.S. chief to go to the island nation, following a visit of 5 U.S. lawmakers and a separate journey from Pelosi earlier this month. Pelosi's go to made her the highest-ranking U.S. official to grace the island in 25 years. China, which considers Taiwan part of its nation, responded to each visits by U.S. lawmakers by conducting navy drills within the Taiwan Strait.

The U.S. acknowledges Beijing’s possession of Taiwan below the "One China" coverage but additionally vows to honor the Taiwan Relations Act, which commits the U.S. to assist the island defend itself if China invades.