Mayor Hou receives the U.S. Midwest Political Leaders Delegation.

New Taipei City Mayor Yu-Ih Hou hosted the ten-member bipartisan U.S. Midwest Political Leaders Delegation on July 22nd. Both sides held in-depth discussions on topics such as public health, security across the Taiwan Strait, and trade cooperation. Mayor Hou remarked that as Taiwan's most populous city, New Taipei has long prioritized international engagement, seeking to continuously deepen partnerships across various U.S. sectors, share urban governance expertise, and foster mutual prosperity and development.

Mayor Hou led a delegation of 20 New Taipei businesses to join the AUTOMATE 2026 trade show in Chicago, Illinois, last month, where they set up the New Taipei City Pavilion to help participating companies expand into the U.S. market and explore international business opportunities. During the trip, the delegation also met with U.S. Department of Commerce representatives, Illinois state senators and city council members, and representatives of World Business Chicago, among many other government and private sector figures. Their discussions focused on investment attraction and industrial collaboration, further strengthening bilateral economic ties.

Grace Hou, Deputy Governor of Illinois and head of the U.S. Midwest Political Leaders Delegation, announced that Illinois plans to establish a trade office in Taiwan in 2027, expressing enthusiasm for broader exchanges in the future. Mayor Hou also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for proactively facilitating this exchange and coordinating the delegation's visit to New Taipei City. He noted that the delegation comprises influential political leaders from the U.S. Midwest, many of whom were visiting Taiwan for the first time. Face-to-face interactions enabled guests to gain firsthand insight into New Taipei's urban governance achievements and industrial strengths. Looking ahead, this will lay the groundwork for expanded collaboration in trade, investment, technological innovation, public health, education, and culture.

Led by Grace Hou, Deputy Governor of Illinois, the delegation brought together executive and legislative leaders from across six U.S. states, including Wisconsin State Treasurer John Leiber, Michigan State Senator and Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh, Iowa State Representative and House Majority Whip Henry Stone, as well as bipartisan legislative whips, committee chairs, and Taiwan Friendship Caucus co-chairs from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. This visit underscores the solid foundation and dynamic potential for future collaboration between local governments in Taiwan and the U.S.

Mayor Hou emphasized that New Taipei City will continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges with U.S. local governments and diverse sectors. Through active city diplomacy, he aims to foster broader interdisciplinary collaboration across trade, technology, public health, education, and culture, enhancing urban resilience while unlocking new avenues for mutual prosperity.