The 2025 US Midwest Political Leaders Delegation, composed of senior dignitaries from six Midwestern states in the United States, met with the Tainan City Government team on July 25. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che, along with the Director-General Su En-en of the Department of Information and International Relations, and Economic Bureau Director Chang Ting-yuan, welcomed the delegation that was led by President Amy Sinclair of the Iowa Senate and Comptroller of Illinois Susana Mendoza. The two parties exchanged experiences and thoughts on industrial, cultural and educational issues, reaffirming their willingness to strengthen local ties between Taiwan and the US.
As this was the delegation’s first visit to Tainan, Mayor Huang Wei-che provided an overview of the city’s significance. He highlighted Tainan as not only Taiwan’s oldest city and cultural capital but also a hub of advanced technology. Global giants such as TSMC and Micron Technology have major facilities in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, presenting ample opportunities for high-tech collaboration with the US Midwest.
The Mayor said that since Tainan has many sister cities in the US Midwest, hopefully, this meeting can facilitate more collaborations in the areas of culture, education, and sports - especially among young people. The delegation replied that they have accepted Mayor Huang’s invitation and will attend the opening ceremony of the 8th WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup 2025 to show their support for the young players, the sport, as well as the friendship between Taiwan and the US.
President Sinclair expressed that she was honored to lead the 2025 US Midwest Political Leaders Delegation to meet with Mayor Huang. She was deeply touched by the Taiwanese hospitality and reiterated the enduring partnership between the US and Taiwan, rooted in shared democratic values and trade relations.
Comptroller Mendoza also thanked Mayor Huang for the meeting and remarked that the delegation is a friend of Taiwan and will continue to promote more substantive exchanges upon returning to the US. She noted that the visit had been highly inspiring and praised Tainan’s vibrant culture, adding that she looks forward to spending more time in the city on a future visit.
The 2025 US Midwest Political Leaders Delegation comprises senior dignitaries, state senators, and house leaders from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan. During their visit, the delegation praised Tainan’s historical and cultural richness and recognized the need to deepen local cooperation. Topics such as climate change, aging populations, and education were also discussed during this meeting.