The Commonwealth of Virginia and the Taiwan Eastbound Alliance-Landing America (TEALA) have announced a new partnership aimed at increasing Taiwanese business investment in Virginia. Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by TEALA and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration, TEALA will establish its first U.S.-based business center at a location in Virginia yet to be determined. The center is intended to help Taiwanese companies expand their operations in the state by serving as an initial base as they grow and seek permanent facilities.
Governor Glenn Youngkin said, “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 commented on the partnership: “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 has several international offices already operating globally. Its goal is to create an industrial chain model specific to Taiwan that strengthens cooperation between Taiwan and U.S. industries through collaboration in areas such as trade, capital investment, technology development, and workforce talent exchange. According to officials involved in the announcement, Virginia was chosen due to its favorable business climate and proximity to Washington, D.C.
In addition to supporting supply chain development for strategic sectors between Taiwan and the United States, TEALA plans to promote growth in emerging industries.
“Taiwan Eastbound Alliance places high expectations on cooperation with the Commonwealth of Virginia,” said TEALA Secretary General Allen Cheng. “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.”
The announcement comes after efforts led by VEDP’s Taiwan office—which opened in 2023—to attract more foreign direct investment from Taiwan into Virginia. The establishment of this office followed Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 25 calling for stronger commercial ties between Virginia and Taiwan through joint trade initiatives. The VEDP’s presence abroad now includes offices in Japan, South Korea, Germany (serving Europe), alongside its location in Taiwan.
