Contact: Cullen Werwie, 608-267-7303
Madison – Governor Scott Walker welcomed members of the Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission to Wisconsin today. The purpose of the Taiwanese delegation’s visit is to strengthen import/export relations between Taiwan and Wisconsin, as well as other Midwestern states. Members of the delegation and members from Wisconsin state government and the Wisconsin Soybean Association signed a “Letter of Intent to Purchase” at today’s meeting. The “Letter of Intent to Purchase” states that Taiwan will intend to purchase soybeans and corn from Midwestern states over the next two years at an estimated value for all purchases to fall between $4.1 billion and $5.12 billion.
“On behalf of the people of our state, I welcome Dr. Bao-Ji Chen and members of the Taiwan delegation to Wisconsin,” Governor Walker said. “Trade agreements like this between Taiwan and Wisconsin are an important part of what both countries must do to remain competitive in our global economy. Taiwan was Wisconsin’s largest export market for corn and Wisconsin’s fourth largest export market for soybeans last year. It is important to maintain strong relations with our sister state of Taiwan, and I thank members of the delegation for their visit to our great state.”
Members of the Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission
Dr. Bao-Ji Chen, Taiwanese Delegation Leader
Perry Pei-hwang Shen, Director-General Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
Yau-kuen Hung, Chairman of Taiwan Feed Industry Association
Han-Yeh Wang, Chairman of Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturer’s Association
Members of the Wisconsin Delegation
Governor Scott Walker
Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch
Secretary Ben Brancel, DATCP
Deputy Secretary Jeff Lyon, DATCP
Brian Long, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association
Robert Karls, Wisconsin Soybean Association
This is the first ever stop in Wisconsin for the Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission. The delegation also traveled to Des Moines, Iowa and Rockford, Illinois. In addition to the signing of the “Letter of Intent to Purchase,” members of both delegations participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the “Enchanting Taiwan” photo exhibit on display at the Wisconsin State Capitol.
