Wisconsin's state treasurer wants his state to open a trade office in Taipei, a small but telling sign that US states are building their own economic ties with Taiwan.

• Treasurer John Leiber visited Taiwan in July with a group of Midwest political leaders from six states and later made his case publicly at home.
• His argument: Taiwan is now America's fourth-largest trading partner, and closer ties would mean more business and jobs in Wisconsin.
• Neighboring Minnesota and Michigan already have offices in Taipei, and Illinois plans to open one this year.
• The pitch is aimed at small and mid-sized Taiwanese firms, not just headline-grabbing megadeals.
• Taiwan is playing along, courting the Midwest's strengths in manufacturing, farming, and AI as a natural match for its own industries.

Outlook: Expect more US states to set up shop in Taipei, deepening economic links even as Washington's China policy stays tense.