The Commonwealth of Virginia has entered into a partnership with the Taiwan Eastbound Alliance-Landing America (TEALA) to encourage more Taiwanese businesses to expand operations in Virginia. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by TEALA and the Youngkin Administration, TEALA will establish its first U.S.-based business center at a location in Virginia that is yet to be determined. The center is intended to help Taiwanese companies as they grow their presence and transition into permanent facilities.
Governor Glenn Youngkin stated, “Taiwan represents a crucial market for foreign direct investment and international trade. This new TEALA office will position the Commonwealth as the premiere location for growing Taiwanese businesses, bringing new jobs and investment that would not be possible without it. I visited Taiwan during my first international economic trade mission as Governor, and as the relationship between Virginia and Taiwan grows, so too will economic opportunities in the Commonwealth.”
Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Luis Lopez added, “It is an honor to be part of the opening of TEALA’s first office in the United States, and we are ready to get to work and deepen the Commonwealth’s economic and international trade ties with Taiwanese businesses. Taiwan and Virginia share a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and leadership, and the new office will highlight the Commonwealth’s strengths to potential investors and businesses while opening additional markets for Virginia-made products.”
TEALA operates several international offices worldwide with an aim to create a Taiwan-focused global industrial chain model. The organization also seeks to strengthen strategic partnerships between Taiwan and the United States through collaboration in trade, capital investment, technology development, and talent exchange. According to officials, Virginia was chosen due to its favorable business climate and proximity to Washington, D.C.
In this partnership with Virginia, TEALA plans to support resilient supply chains for important industries connecting Taiwan with U.S. markets while encouraging growth in emerging sectors.
TEALA Secretary General Allen Cheng said: “Taiwan Eastbound Alliance places high expectations on cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia. With its strong momentum in semiconductors, AI, and biotechnology, Virginia is emerging as a key gateway connecting Taiwan’s technology ecosystem with the U.S. East Coast. The Alliance will actively advance concrete collaboration with Taiwanese industry partners.”
This announcement follows earlier efforts led by VEDP’s (Virginia Economic Development Partnership) Taiwan office—which opened in 2023 after Governor Youngkin issued Executive Order 25—to enhance business relationships between Virginia and Taiwan through joint trade initiatives. The office is one of four operated internationally by VEDP alongside locations in Japan, South Korea, and Germany.