Texas

Greg Abbott opens Texas-Taiwan office

Published

2 years ago

July 7, 2024

Amid his first visit to Taiwan, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Sunday the opening of a Texas-Taiwan trade representative office in Taipei to strengthen business and economic ties between the state and island.

Taiwan-based companies have been expanding into Texas for years, specifically in the semiconductor and petrochemical industries. Totaling $21.3 billion in 2023, Taiwan is Texas’ seventh-largest trade partner, according to Abbott.

One of the notable expansions is by GlobalWafers, a Taiwan-based semiconductor silicon wafer company, which announced in 2022 plans to build a state-of-the-art silicon wafer factory in Sherman, Texas. This facility, expected to be the first of its kind in the United States in over two decades, aims to address the semiconductor supply chain issues in the U.S. by reducing the reliance on imported silicon wafers from Asia. This project is anticipated to create around 1,500 jobs and significantly bolster the state’s local economy.

During a visit to Taiwan on Sunday, Abbott announced the opening of the State of Texas Taiwan Office (STTO), making it the 23rd U.S. state to open an office in Taipei. The STTO, which will operate under Texas’ Economic Development & Tourism Office, was announced in an effort to strengthen business and economic ties between the state and island, with the Republican governor also signing a letter of intent.

Newsweek has reached out to Abbott’s office via email for comment.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is seen in Houston, Texas, on March 26. Amid his first visit to Taiwan, Abbott announced on Sunday the opening of a Texas-Taiwan trade representative office in Taipei to strengthen business…

SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images

“We understand, both in Texas and in the United States, the importance of a strong Taiwan for the future of the entire globe. One of the best things that we can do to strengthen Taiwan and strengthen its future is by expanding our economic ties, so that Taiwan grows even stronger economically,” Abbott said on a stage with Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Abbott praised the opening of the office and wrote on Sunday morning, “Taiwan President Lai welcomed our Texas delegation in Taipei. We also announced the opening of a trade representative office for the State of Texas. We do BILLIONS in trade with Taiwan. The country was very hospitable.”

Taiwan President Lai welcomed our Texas delegation in Taipei.
We also announced the opening of a trade representative office for the State of Texas.
We do BILLIONS in trade with Taiwan.
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The country was very hospitable.https://t.co/RKkxlOHjT0
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 7, 2024

According to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, Texas is an important trading partner as the Lone Star state is the ninth largest export market, with exports exceeding $11.5 billion in 2023.

“During this trip you will open the state of Texas-Taiwan office and sign an economic development statement of intent. I assure that the office will create new and trailblazing opportunities for an even stronger collaboration between Taiwanese and US businesses,” Lai said, according to Taiwan News.

However, the announcement comes as tensions between Taiwan and China continue to grow.

In May, Lai faced China’s largest-scale military exercises in nearly two years. It comes as a response to Lai’s inauguration speech as he asserted that “the Republic of China Taiwan is a sovereign, independent nation,” adding it is “an important link in the global chain of democracies.” While Taiwan has been independently governed since 1949, China views the island as part of its territory and hasn’t ruled out the use of force to unify the nations.

In addition, China has said it would launch a war if Taiwan were ever to officially declare independence. Lai, like his predecessor, former President Tsai Ing-wen, has maintained that there is no need to do so, as Taiwan is already an independent state.

Last week, China issued a no-sail zone warning in waters near Taiwan.

Maritime Safety Administration of China’s eastern Zhejiang province issued the navigational warning for a “military exercises” in the East China Sea from Wednesday to Friday as China’s military deployed 22 aircraft and six vessels.

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Texas

Texas city addresses rumors of new ICE facility

Published

6 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Press Room

Texas city addresses rumors of new ICE facility – CBS Texas

Watch CBS News

ICE is reportedly eyeing a warehouse that sits along I-45 near Hutchins. City leaders are poised to discuss it at an upcoming meeting this week.

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Texas

Fire displaces dozens at Fort Worth senior living facility

Published

18 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Fire displaces dozens at Fort Worth senior living facility

A fire at a senior living facility in Fort Worth forced more than 50 residents to evacuate late Sunday morning. Many are now staying with nearby family, while others still don’t know where they’ll sleep tonight. Heavy smoke, soot, and water damage left the building unsafe to occupy, with conditions harsh enough to irritate eyes and throats after only a short time inside.

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Texas

Date night or girls’ night? Valentine’s and Galentine’s events to love in North Texas

Published

1 day ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Date night or girls’ night? Valentine’s and Galentine’s events to love in North Texas

Love is in the air, whether you’re celebrating with a sweetheart or your closest friends. North Texas is packed with Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s events that will make February feel extra special.

Here are 10 Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day events happening around Dallas-Fort Worth as you start making plans.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND AT REUNION TOWER

Get a breathtaking view of the Dallas skyline while celebrating on Friday and Saturday of Valentine’s Day weekend. There will be photo ops, specialty cocktails and mocktails, custom cookies, poems, and acoustic music by Mountain Natives on Friday. Saturday will feature a skyline sketch, taught by local artists.

DETAILS: Feb. 13 and 14 from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd. E, Dallas. Tickets are $63.56 per person and $124.73 for couples.

GRAPEVINE’S WINE, CHOCOLATE & ROMANCE ON MAIN TOUR

Experience an intimate Valentine’s-themed food and wine tour that takes guests on a stroll through historic Main Street in Grapevine. It will feature wine and light bites from local wineries.

DETAILS: Thursdays through Sundays in February from 3 to 5 p.m. 324 S. Main St., Grapevine. Tickets are $123 per person.

Experience an intimate Valentine s-themed food and wine tour that takes guests on a stroll through historic Main Street in Grapevine.

Courtesy of Jennifer Neal

FLAMING COCKTAIL HOT DATE NIGHT

Expect a hot date night where couples can blow and create their own heart or flower made from molten glass. Attendees can also indulge in flaming cocktails to toast their love.

DETAILS: Feb. 11-14 from noon to 7 p.m. at Vetro Glassblowing Studio & Gallery, 701 S. Main St., Grapevine. Tickets are $55 per person.

FORTWORTHIANS101 SPEED DATING EVENT

Restaurant West + Stone at Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel is co-hosting a Fortworthians101 speed-dating event. Guests are guaranteed to speak to at least 10 people and continue the conversations during a singles mixer after the speed dating concludes.

DETAILS: Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at West + Stone, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth. Ages 25-37. Speed dating tickets and mixer tickets ate $47.80; mixer-only tickets are $13.03.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND MOVIE NIGHT AT WHISKEY RANCH

Guests are invited to bundle up and bring chairs and blankets to watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in the great outdoors. Admission includes a free first cocktail.

DETAILS: Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at Whiskey Ranch, 2601 Whiskey Ranch Road, Fort Worth. Tickets are $11.99.

GALENTINE’S/VALENTINE’S COOKIE DECORATING & WINE

Decorate cookies with your date or gal pals at this gallery experience. While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas artists.

DETAILS: This event occurs Wednesday through Sunday during February at Giddens Gallery, 624 S. Main St., Grapevine. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $62.

While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas... — While decorating cookies, enjoy two glasses of wine and admire original artworks from Texas artists at Giddens Gallery.
Courtesy of Giddens Gallery

LOVE LETTERS-RUNWAY THEATRE

Watch an intimate, moving play with your loved ones that spans decades of hopes, dreams, and heartfelt words.

DETAILS: Feb. 13-15 at 3 and 8 p.m. at Runway Theatre, 215 N Dooley St., Grapevine. Tickets are $30.

VALENTINE’S/GALENTINE’S DAY AT PEGASUS PLAZA

Take a trip to downtown Dallas with your bestie or date and attend the free Valentine’s/Galentine’s Day event at Pegasus Plaza. It will have a doggy kissing booth, free photo booth and free flowers.

DETAILS: Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pegasus Plaza, 1500 Main St., Dallas. Free.

DFW LADIES GALENTINE’S GAL HIKE

Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals. The hike starts on the Arbor Hills Trail, heads up to the Pond of Vasil Levski, continues to the Observation Deck, and then loops back through the prairie trail. Attendees are invited to wear pink. After the hike, there will be a brunch at restaurant Whiskey Cake.

DETAILS: Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, 6701 West Parker Road, Plano. Free.

Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals, hosted by Texas Ladies Get... — Celebrate female friendships with a hike with all your gal pals, hosted by Texas Ladies Get Outdoors and Travel group.
Courtesy of Texas Ladies Get Out

MCKINNEY GALENTINE’S POP UP

The Stix Icehouse will have a special Galentine’s Day celebration filled with shopping, jewelry and music bingo. Attendees can also create custom-made permanent jewelry and a trucker hat.

DETAILS: Feb. 11 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Stix Icehouse, 301 Eldorado Pkwy., Suite #100, McKinney. Free.

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