OKLAHOMA CITY – Continuing to make good on a 2019 inauguration promise to “take Oklahoma to the world and bring the world to Oklahoma,” Gov. Kevin Stitt traveled to Taiwan last week on an energy and aerospace focused trade mission.
The governor’s delegation to Asia, his first since taking office, also visited Japan and South Korea and spoke with a variety of company representatives interested in bringing investments and jobs to the Sooner State.
Statistics from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston show that Oklahoma’s volume of export to Taiwan totaled $32 million in 2020, and components included industrial machinery, transportation equipment, computer and electronic parts, foodstuffs and agricultural goods.
Imports from Taiwan were valued at $160 million and investments, as of four years ago, were in the restaurant, retail, hotel and tourism industries. About 5,000 people from Taiwan, according to the available data, live in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas. In 1980, the capital city of Taiwan, Taipei, and Oklahoma City established a sister-city relationship.
On Dec. 9, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he was “Delighted to welcome Gov. Stitt and his delegation to Taiwan. We value this opportunity to deepen our partnership with Oklahoma and look forward to stepping up cooperation in trade & energy while promoting democracy, peace & prosperity together.”
Stitt responded on X, saying, “I’m grateful to our friends in Taiwan for hosting our trade delegation. We discussed potential areas of collaboration, such as aerospace and energy security. I’m looking forward to working together to increase trade and investment opportunities.”
In addition, during the trip, Stitt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Jyh-Huei Kuo.
“This Memorandum of Understanding between Oklahoma and Taiwan will enhance trade and investment opportunities between Oklahoma and Taiwan drone and UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) companies. Oklahoma is the most business friendly state in the nation and our energy industry provides critical stability and economic opportunity around the world,” Stitt said in a press release.
Kuo’s statements were published in the business section of the publication “Focus Taiwan CNA English News” on Dec. 9. He said that Oklahoma is a good fit for Taiwan in its efforts to promote its main industrial sectors given that the state has drone, semiconductor and space industry clusters and is rich in natural resources and energy.
In addition, Kuo said the deal will advance trade, investment and industrial cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, drones, critical minerals and energy resilience. Stitt said, as reported in the article, that “his state is fully committed to building a sound investment environment through tax cuts and simplifying the legal system in Oklahoma.”
Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8, which celebrated the longstanding sister-state relationship with Taiwan. The measure recognized the country as one of Oklahoma’s largest export partners.
In 2024, Forbes ranked Taiwan 14th in the world for Gross Domestic Product per capita, surpassing regional neighbors such as Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea.