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Arizona, Taiwan, and Japan Sign MOU To Strengthen Semiconductor, Workforce Development and Supply Chain Collaboration

PHOENIX, AZ (March 12, 2026) — To further strengthen international partnerships with Taiwan and Japan – two of Arizona’s top trading partners – the State of Arizona, the City of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen economic collaboration and advance partnerships in semiconductors, talent development, research and development, and global supply chain integration. The MOU was signed during a ceremony by Governor Katie Hobbs and Mayor Chen Chi-Mai of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, Deputy Mayor of Kaohsiung Ta-Sheng Lo, and Vice Governor Shingi Takeuchi of Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan were witnesses to the MOU signing ceremony.

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ACA, GPEC, and ASU Sign MOU With JETRO To Strengthen International and Semiconductor Collaboration

PHOENIX, AZ (March 5, 2026) – Amid increased international investment and to further strengthen economic and trade ties between Arizona and Japan, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), and Arizona State University (ASU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), during a signing ceremony yesterday on March 4, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Attendees included a visiting delegation of more than 50 Japanese government, business, academia, and community leaders, as well as Arizona leaders. The MOU aims to accelerate collaboration between Arizona and Japan in key industrial sectors such as semiconductors, R&D, and workforce development. 

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Arizona Emerges as a Global Economic Powerhouse

PHOENIX, AZ (February 24, 2026) – Arizona’s strong international ties fueled record-breaking trade and investment in 2025, creating thousands of new jobs and driving more than $1 billion in foreign direct investment. Exports by Arizona companies surged from $32.4 to $44.4 billion – a 37% increase and the second fastest growth in the nation. By comparison, U.S. exports grew by 5.7%. Key trade highlights include: Taiwan surpassed Canada and China to become Arizona’s second-largest trading partner (behind Mexico), with more than $21.2 billion in total trade and Arizona leads the nation in international investment, with more than $195.7 billion announced since 2020. 

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