Taiwan used its National Day reception in Chicago to pitch itself as the core of the world's chip supply and a democratic partner to the US — a confident, upbeat message aimed at American state governments.

• More than 500 guests attended, including state treasurers and senate leaders from Indiana, Wisconsin and Iowa, plus nearly 20 pro-Taiwan state lawmakers from seven Midwest states.
• Taiwan makes over 90% of the world's advanced chips and AI servers, and strong AI hardware exports are expected to push its 2026 growth to a 39-year high.
• Money is shifting hard toward America: over 40% of Taiwan's outbound investment now goes to the US, two-way trade topped $256 billion, and investment into China has collapsed to 3%.
• TSMC's Arizona buildout has grown to $265 billion, the anchor of the US-Taiwan tech relationship.
• The Trump administration's approval of more than $11 billion in arms sales and its public rejection of the claim that UN Resolution 2758 settles Taiwan's status were singled out as key support.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan to keep courting US state governments and deepening chip investment in America as a hedge against pressure from Beijing.