US-Taiwan Business Council

The US-Taiwan Business Council is a nonprofit membership organization established in 1976 to strengthen private-sector economic, commercial, financial, and investment ties between the United States and Taiwan. It was founded in Chicago by David M. Kennedy under the name USA-ROC Economic Council, at a time when the future framework for unofficial U.S.-Taiwan relations was undergoing major change. The organization has since become a long-standing intermediary between companies, policymakers, and institutions concerned with the bilateral relationship. The council represents a broad membership base. Members have included small consulting businesses as well as large multinational corporations with commercial interests in Taiwan. Its work is not limited to a single industry: issues addressed through its programs and publications have included general business conditions, finance and banking, defense and security, semiconductors, personal computers, intellectual property, biotechnology, market access, equipment sales, and contractual or regulatory difficulties. The council’s mandate, as described in its bylaws, is to develop private economic, commercial, and financial relationships and to encourage investment, trade, and commerce between the United States and Taiwan. Its activities combine business advocacy, policy analysis, market advice, information services, and convening. The council advises companies seeking to enter or expand in Taiwan and may advocate for individual members or groups of members on questions involving market access, government policy, sales of equipment, and contract problems. It also distributes regular electronic bulletins covering developments affecting the triangular U.S.-Taiwan-China business environment, together with occasional research reports, editorials, and analytical statements. Events are a central part of the council’s profile. It organizes conferences, seminars, receptions, and other meetings in the United States and Taiwan. Its best-known program is the annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference, which brings together officials, business representatives, and specialists to discuss defense-industrial and security issues. The first conference, held in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2002, was notable because it brought Taiwan’s defense minister to the United States for the first time since 1979. The council has also organized the Taiwan + China Semiconductor Industry Conference, reflecting the strategic importance of Taiwan’s technology sector and the complex regional supply-chain environment. The council has also served as a channel for relationship building. It maintains contacts with government agencies, legislators, private companies, and nongovernmental organizations in both jurisdictions. Members of the U.S. Congress and the executive branch have consulted the organization on commercial and economic aspects of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. During the 1970s and 1980s, the council participated in discussions surrounding the Taiwan Relations Act, which became the principal statutory framework for unofficial U.S.-Taiwan relations after the United States transferred diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. The organization has undergone several leadership and name changes. It moved from Chicago to Washington, D.C., in 1990 and later relocated to Arlington, Virginia. Its present name was adopted in 2001. The council remains an active, independent business association rather than a government agency, diplomatic mission, publicly traded company, or conventional consumer brand. Its present public identity is closely associated with cross-border business advocacy, defense-industry dialogue, technology and semiconductor analysis, and the maintenance of institutional links between American and Taiwanese commercial communities.

The US-Taiwan Business Council was founded in Chicago in 1976 by David M. Kennedy as the USA-ROC Economic Council. William Morell became its first president, while Kennedy served as chairman for approximately fourteen years. From its beginning, the organization combined business representation with policy engagement, seeking to preserve and expand commercial ties between American companies and Taiwan. The council’s early development coincided with the United States’ shift in diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing. During the 1970s, it became involved in the commercial and political discussions that preceded the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. That legislation established the statutory basis for unofficial relations between the United States and Taiwan and increased the importance of private organizations able to maintain communication with Taiwanese institutions and business interests. During the 1980s, the council expanded its membership and strengthened links with Taiwanese business and political leaders. It helped American companies address practical commercial questions while also providing a channel for broader discussion of trade, investment, and bilateral policy. Its Taiwanese sister organization is the ROC-USA Business Council. The two groups formerly co-hosted annual joint business conferences, alternating between Taiwan and the United States. That conference tradition continued through the 1980s and 1990s and ended in 2004. A major institutional transition occurred in 1990. Caspar Weinberger succeeded Kennedy as chairman, David Laux replaced Morell as president, and the council moved its office from Chicago to Washington, D.C. In 1991 it created the Chairman’s Circle for member companies with substantial interests in Taiwan. In 1995, Dan Tellep became chairman, and the organization changed its name to the US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council. William P. Clark became chairman in January 1997. During that year, Senators Frank H. Murkowski and John D. Rockefeller IV became honorary co-chairmen, and the council moved to Arlington, Virginia, where it shared a floor with the Washington headquarters of the American Institute in Taiwan. Frank C. Carlucci became chairman in 1999. In 2000, David Laux left the presidency and Rupert Hammond-Chambers succeeded him. The organization adopted the name US-Taiwan Business Council in 2001. William Cohen became chairman in 2003, followed by Senator William Brock in 2005. Vance D. Coffman served as vice chairman during Brock’s chairmanship. Senator Lisa Murkowski became an honorary co-chairman in 2007, and Paul D. Wolfowitz became chairman in 2008. The council’s defense and security profile grew through its annual US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference. The first conference took place in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2002. It brought together Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense Tang Yao-ming, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly, and industry participants. Taiwan’s defense minister Chen Chao-min attended the 2008 conference on Amelia Island, Florida. In 2016, Senator Bob Menendez became an honorary co-chairman after Jay Rockefeller vacated the position. Michael R. Splinter succeeded Wolfowitz as chairman in 2018. On July 1, 2024, the council announced that Keith J. Krach had accepted the chairmanship of its board of directors. The council continues to operate as a District of Columbia-incorporated, tax-exempt membership association. Its current activities center on business intelligence, member advocacy, policy analysis, conferences, and relationship building across the U.S.-Taiwan commercial and governmental communities.

• 2024

  Keith J. Krach becomes board chairman

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Krach succeeded Michael R. Splinter as chairman of the board of directors.

• 2018

  Michael R. Splinter becomes chairman

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Splinter succeeded Paul D. Wolfowitz as chairman.

• 2004

  Joint conference tradition ends

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  The alternating annual joint business conferences co-hosted with the ROC-USA Business Council ended.

• 2002

  First US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  The inaugural conference was held in St. Petersburg, Florida, and included senior U.S. and Taiwanese officials.

• 2001

  Present name adopted

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  The organization became the US-Taiwan Business Council.

• 1991

  Chairman’s Circle established

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  The council created a special member group for companies with substantial business interests in Taiwan.

• 1990

  Leadership transition and move to Washington

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  Caspar Weinberger became chairman, David Laux became president, and the council moved its office from Chicago to Washington, D.C.

• 1979

  Taiwan Relations Act enacted

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  The council participated in the commercial and policy environment surrounding the drafting and passage of the Taiwan Relations Act.

• 1976

  Organization founded in Chicago

  [1]US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org

  David M. Kennedy established the organization as the USA-ROC Economic Council, with William Morell as president.

A specialized nonprofit business association and policy convenor focused on U.S.-Taiwan commercial relations, with particular visibility in defense, security, semiconductors, and cross-border investment.

• Professional services

  Member consulting and advocacy

  The council provides tactical and strategic advice to companies entering or expanding in Taiwan. Its advocacy may address market-access barriers, equipment sales, contractual disputes, and proposed Taiwanese government policies affecting member businesses.

• Business intelligence

  Weekly eBulletins

  Regular electronic bulletins summarize business, economic, political, and security developments relevant to the U.S.-Taiwan-China relationship. Reported subject areas include finance, banking, defense, semiconductors, computers, intellectual property, and biotechnology.

• Research and policy analysis

  Analysis reports and statements

  The council periodically produces editorials, research reports, and analytical statements on developments that may affect companies operating across the United States, Taiwan, and China. These materials are distributed to members when circumstances warrant.

• Conference · 2002

  US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference

  An annual forum focused on defense trade, security policy, industrial cooperation, and related U.S.-Taiwan issues. The conference brings together government officials, defense companies, policy specialists, and other stakeholders and is the council’s most prominent recurring event.

• Conference

  Taiwan + China Semiconductor Industry Conference

  A conference examining semiconductor business, technology, supply chains, and the policy environment involving Taiwan, China, and the United States. It reflects the council’s focus on strategically important technology industries.

• 2002US-Taiwan Defense Industry Conference

  United States · Taiwan

  The council launched its annual defense-industry conference in St. Petersburg, Florida, creating a recurring venue for senior officials and private-sector participants to discuss bilateral defense and security ties.

  Outcome. The inaugural meeting attracted senior U.S. and Taiwanese officials and established the conference as a signature council program.

  Source
• Member market-access and policy advocacy

  United States · Taiwan

  The council advocates for member companies on market-entry, equipment-sales, contractual, and policy matters affecting commerce between the United States and Taiwan.

  Outcome. Specific outcomes vary by matter and are not identified in the available reference material.

  Source

• 2002

  Launch of the annual defense-industry conferenceOther

  Background

  Defense and security were becoming particularly significant areas of U.S.-Taiwan commercial and policy engagement.

  Action taken

  The council established an annual conference in St. Petersburg, Florida.

  Aftermath

  The event became one of the council’s principal recurring programs.

  Source

• 2001

  Adoption of the US-Taiwan Business Council nameStrategy

  Background

  The organization had previously operated as the USA-ROC Economic Council and the US-ROC (Taiwan) Business Council.

  Action taken

  It adopted the shorter US-Taiwan Business Council name to describe its bilateral commercial mission.

  Aftermath

  The new name became the organization’s continuing public identity.

  Source

1. 1US–Taiwan Business Councilen.wikipedia.org
2. 2US-Taiwan Business Council official websiteus-taiwan.org