Press Release:

Senator Mark Kelly Joins the US-Taiwan Business Council as Honorary Co-Chair

(Arlington, Virginia, October 22, 2024)

The US-Taiwan Business Council (USTBC) is pleased to announce that Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona has agreed to serve as the Council’s Honorary Co-Chair. Senator Kelly joins Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in the position.

Since their inception in 1997, USTBC’s Honorary Co-Chairs have testified to the importance of bipartisan support for U.S.-Taiwan economic relations. The Council is hugely honored to welcome Senator Kelly to the role and looks forward to working with him on strengthening and expanding this crucial commercial and business relationship.

Senator Mark Kelly

Senator Kelly is a Democrat who has served the United States as a Navy combat pilot, a NASA astronaut, and, since 2020, as a U.S. Senator for Arizona. He has been a vocal supporter of closer economic ties between the United States and Taiwan, building on our shared democratic values. Senator Kelly has focused on broadening the economic relationship between Arizona and Taiwan in the semiconductor sector, working with the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. Co. (TSMC) on their sizable investment in Arizona.

“I’m honored to serve as Honorary Co-Chair of the US-Taiwan Business Council. The partnership between the United States and Taiwan is built on shared democratic values and an unwavering commitment to economic growth and innovation,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “In Arizona, we’ve seen firsthand the positive impact of this relationship, particularly in the semiconductor industry. I look forward to working with the Council to further strengthen the ties between the United States and Taiwan to further drive job creation, bolster supply chains, and enhance our national security in the years to come.”

Council President Rupert Hammond-Chambers commented, “Senator Kelly’s indispensable leadership in re-shoring chip manufacturing to the United States offers a lasting legacy. His efforts showcase the importance of technology – often developed in cooperation between U.S. and Taiwan companies – for generations of Americans. This cooperation has spurred growth, helped drive wealth creation, and increased security while providing a supportive foundation for future generations.”

Previous US-Taiwan Business Council Honorary Co-Chairs include Frank H. Murkowski of Alaska, John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia, Conrad Burns of Montana, and Robert Menendez of New Jersey.

About the US-Taiwan Business Council:

The US-Taiwan Business Council (www.us-taiwan.org) is a membership-based non-profit association, founded in 1976 to foster trade and business relations between the United States and Taiwan. The Council provides its members with business intelligence, offers access to an extensive network of relationships, and serves as a vital and effective representative in dealing with business, trade, and investment matters.