Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams has returned from a week-long visit to Taiwan as part of a bipartisan delegation of secretaries of state, where he participated in numerous meetings with government officials and business leaders.
Some of the company leaders he met with included representatives of Kentucky-based businesses Brown-Forman Corporation and Zoeller Pump Company, and Adams says he looks forward to sharing his insights. In particular, Adams criticized Gov. Andy Beshear for failing to open a trade office in Taiwan.
“The General Assembly has unanimously passed resolutions calling on Governor Beshear to open a trade office in Taiwan, as 24 states have done,” said Adams. “Taiwan imports the vast majority of its food, with a taste for beef, corn, soybeans and other things we raise in Kentucky. Andy Beshear should take a break from podcasting and focus on his day job of expanding opportunity for Kentuckians, especially our farmers.”
According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Kentucky exports to Taiwan exceeded $600 million in 2008 but more recently fell as low as $173 million. The Lane Report notes that Taiwan is Kentucky’s 18th largest export market but 13th largest import source, implying a trade deficit.
Along with discussing business and trade issues, Adams discussed with senior Taiwan election officials their shared challenge of combatting election misinformation.
Adams said he returned with a better appreciation for Taiwanese patriotism, solidarity against Chinese aggression, and love for America.
The trip was under the auspices of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). Adams is active in the organization, as he is currently serving as a co-chair of the NASS Elections Committee.
He is also a member of the NASS Business Services Committee, International Relations Committee, State Records and Archives Committee, as well as the Technology and Security Committee.
Secretary of State Michael Adams visiting in Taiwan.
