FRANKFORT, Ky. — Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, and House Minority Caucus Chair Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, D-Lexington, will visit Taiwan as part of a delegation of U.S. Southeastern state legislative leaders from Aug. 30 to Sept. 8.
A news release from the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus describes the visit as representative of the enduring partnership between Kentucky and Taiwan, which has flourished over decades of cooperation in trade, education, and cultural exchange.
Stivers is the highest-ranking member of the visiting multistate, bipartisan delegation.
Other members of the delegation include Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Linda Coleman-Madison (AL); Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Patrick Sellers (AL); Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism Rep. Andy Whitt (AL); Chair of the Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee Rep. Josh Bonner (GA); Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Jeremy Faison (TN); Speaker Pro Tempore and Taiwan Caucus Co-Chair Thomas E. “Tommy” Pope (SC); and Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Finance Rep. Stephen Ross (NC).
Taiwan is the United States’ eighth-largest trading partner, while the U.S. ranks as Taiwan’s second-largest. Bilateral trade between the two amounted to an impressive $105 billion in 2021. Kentucky, in particular, has experienced remarkable growth in its trade relationship. In 2021, the state’s exports to Taiwan surged 62.6% compared to 2020, and imports from there increased by 49.2% during the same period. This growth positions Taiwan as Kentucky’s 18th-largest export market and 13th-largest import source.
“We’ve enjoyed an exceptional relationship with Taiwan for decades,” Stivers said. “In addition to a beneficial economic exchange, we’ve enhanced our educational opportunities for teachers and students, providing travel opportunities and an appreciation for our cultural differences and many similarities. We hope to expand our economic and educational opportunities in the future.”
Kentucky signed the higher education and K-12 cooperation memorandum of understanding with Taiwan in 2021 after the launch of 2020’s U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, which facilitates more Mandarin and English language, student and teacher exchanges.
Kentucky directly benefitted from Taiwan’s collaboration in post-pandemic economic recovery efforts. In 2021, the Taiwan government donated $120,000 and 100,000 medical masks to the Mayfield Fire Department in April 2022, supporting the recovery work after deadly tornadoes swept across the commonwealth’s western portion.
An important U.S. partner in trade and investment, health, semiconductor and other critical supply chains, investment screening, science and technology and education. Taiwan has a Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta that maintains regular contact with Kentucky’s elected officials. That office offers consular, commercial, informational, and cultural services to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
