About the US-Taiwan Business Council

Fostering business relations between the United States and Taiwan since 1976.

About

USTBC is a membership-based, non-profit trade association founded in 1976 to support investment, trade, and commerce between the United States and Taiwan.

Strategic Consulting

Members receive tactical & strategic advice on succeeding in Taiwan, along with support for efforts to secure new business opportunities or resolve problems.

Business Intelligence

Reports, publications, editorials, and newsletters provide comprehensive coverage of political, business, trade, and investment news, highlighting business opportunities in Taiwan.

Networking & Relationships

USTBC offers our members access to an extensive network of relationships within the Taiwan government and business community, as well as with senior levels in the U.S. government.

Mission

The US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) is dedicated to developing the trade and business relationship between the United States and Taiwan.

The organization serves its members as a portal to Taiwan, and aspires to be an effective representative for those members in dealing with business, trade, and investment matters.

Members consist of public and private companies with business interests in Taiwan, and range in size from one-person consulting firms to large multinational corporations. Our work is dedicated to giving our members access to the people and the information that they need to succeed in Taiwan.

History

USTBC was established in 1976, and rapidly took on an important role in the trade and business relationship between the United States and Taiwan. The Council was involved in all aspects of the drafting and passing of the Taiwan Relations Act (of April 1979), and worked extensively in support of Taiwan joining the World Trade Organization in 2002. The U.S. and Taiwan governments recognize USTBC as one of the most important private organizations in the entire range of unofficial bilateral relations.

Timeline

David M. Kennedy - Chairman
The Council was formed as the USA-ROC Economic Council in Chicago, Illinois. David M. Kennedy was elected Chairman. William Morell was elected President.
President Jimmy Carter, who signed the TRA into law in 1979
The Council was heavily involved in the drafting and passing of the Taiwan Relations Act (Public Law 96-8, 96th Congress), signed into law on April 10, 1979 by President Jimmy Carter.
David Laux - President Emeritus
David Laux was elected President.
Caspar Weinberger - Chairman
Caspar Weinberger was elected Chairman. The Council moved to Washington, D.C. The Chairman’s Circle level of membership was established.
President Laux (far left) and Chairman Tellep (far right) meet with Taiwan President Lee
Dan Tellep was elected Chairman. The Council's Chairman’s Circle met with Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui at Cornell University.
US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council - Old Logo
The Council's name was changed to the US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council.
William P. Clark - Chairman
William P. Clark was elected Chairman. Senators Frank H. Murkowski (R) of Alaska and John D. Rockefeller, IV (D) of West Virginia became Honorary Co-Chairmen.
Frank C. Carlucci - Chairman
The Council moved to Arlington, Virginia. Frank C. Carlucci was elected Chairman.
Rupert Hammond-Chambers - President
Rupert Hammond-Chambers was elected President.
US-Taiwan Business Council Logo
The Council's name was changed to the US-Taiwan Business Council.
William Cohen - Chairman
William Cohen was elected Chairman. Senator Conrad Burns (R) of Montana became Honorary Co-Chairman.
Brock, William - Chairman
William E. Brock, III was elected Chairman. Vance Coffman was elected Vice Chairman.
Lisa Murkowski - Honorary Co-Chair
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska became Honorary Co-Chair.
Paul Wolfowitz - Chairman
Paul D. Wolfowitz was elected Chairman.
Senator Robert Menendez - Honorary Co-Chairman
Senator Robert “Bob” Menendez (D) of New Jersey became Honorary Co-Chairman.
Michael Splinter - Chairman
Michael R. Splinter was elected Chairman.
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Membership

Serving our members as a portal to Taiwan.

The US-Taiwan Business Council is a non-profit organization that is 100% funded by its member companies and by event/services sponsorships. Members consist of public and private companies with business interests in Taiwan, and range in size from one-person consulting firms to large multinational corporations.

The organization serves as a portal to Taiwan, and acts as an effective representative for our members. Because the organization reflects the views and concerns of an extensive group of important U.S. businesses, the Council is generally considered to be one of the most influential private organizations in the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.

Corporate Membership

We offer our members a bundle of services that includes up-to-date news and information through our e-bulletins and analysis reports. These products provide comprehensive coverage of political, business, trade, and investment trends that influence the business environment in Taiwan.

Members also receive invitations to a variety of events. Our seminars, luncheons, dinners, and delegations provide a forum for trade and industry specific discussions, and offer access to corporate leaders and government officials. Sector-specific events and conferences bring together participants from both the private sector and the U.S. and Taiwan governments. Some events are co-sponsored with other organizations, and our gatherings of business leaders bring together hundreds of U.S. and Taiwan participants each year.

USTBC serves as a portal to Taiwan, as our network of relationships gives all our members access to the people and the information that help them succeed in their Taiwan endeavors.

Chairman’s Circle Membership

Chairman’s Circle members receive personal attention towards accomplishing their goals in the Taiwan market, and USTBC acts as a tactical and strategic consultant to each Chairman’s Circle company.

One of USTBC’s greatest strengths lies in having direct access to the highest levels of Taiwan’s government and business community, as well as to senior levels of the U.S. government both in the Executive Branch and in Congress. We do advocacy work on projects for our Chairman’s Circle members. We assist with introductions to top officials in Taiwan and in the U.S., help with letters recommending appropriate courses of action in dealing with problems, and arrange key meetings on major business issues. USTBC has been effective in dealing with many matters, including multi-billion dollar equipment sales, market access issues, contractual disputes, profit repatriation issues, etc.

Senior executives of Chairman’s Circle companies also have additional opportunities to meet and discuss business issues with the Taiwan President, the Premier, Cabinet officers, and leading Taiwan CEOs. Our Chairman’s Circle members find that the personal relationships they establish at these meetings are invaluable in advancing their business objectives in Taiwan.