Taiwan and the US state of Rhode Island have renewed an education partnership, a modest but positive sign for Taiwan's push to build ties with individual American states.

• The deal renews a 2023 agreement and covers Chinese-language teaching and student exchanges.
• Both sides want to train workers for AI and semiconductor supply chains, areas where Taiwan is central.
• Taiwan's representative to the US, Alexander Yui, tied the deal to Taiwan's growing investment in America.
• Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, who has visited Taiwan twice, promised to keep backing the exchanges.
• The signing doubled as a reception marking America's 250th anniversary and 30 years of direct presidential elections in Taiwan.

Outlook: Expect more state-level education and tech-training deals as Taiwan builds support in the US outside Washington.