Arizona is no stranger to fostering international relations. Still, within the last year, its active recruitment of foreign partnerships is just one reason Arizona is now number two in semiconductor supercenters in the United States.
An example of this proactive relationship building can be seen in the Arizona House Committee’s International Trade visit to Canada, Romania and the United Kingdom earlier this year or in the opening of Arizona’s trade and investment office in Taipei, Taiwan, which serves as a platform to increase economic collaboration and foreign direct investment opportunities. And also through the recent hosting of the Netherlands-Flanders Economic Mission to the U.S., December 3–5, sponsored by the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Arizona Commerce Authority is essential in cultivating robust and mutually advantageous connections between Arizona and nations around the globe, serving as an invaluable conduit for international trade activities and foreign direct investment projects. Through its International Trade Program, the ACA extends essential export services to companies based in Arizona, enhancing their trade prospects on the global stage. These services encompass comprehensive support and trade counseling, assistance in initiating international ventures, facilitating crucial contacts, providing insights into company backgrounds, furnishing export leads, offering educational programs, and more.
In the 2024 State of the State Address, Governor Katie Hobbs stated, “Our state has attracted 32 billion dollars in foreign investment — more than California, Texas or any other state in the nation. That 32 billion dollars means jobs, jobs and more jobs for working people in Arizona.”
Fruits of this relationship-building labor are seen in the rise of the economy in Arizona. Trade between Arizona and Taiwan has increased rapidly, growing by nearly 220% since 2017 and totaling more than $3.27 billion in 2021 — and that is before TSMC started building the $40-billion semiconductor fab in Arizona. Yet, the impact of these relationships goes further than dollar signs and helps shape Arizona’s global perception.
Prime Minister Rutte shared his positive impressions of Arizona during the Netherlands-Flanders Economic Mission. His remarks extended beyond the significance of major corporations, acknowledging the indispensable contributions of smaller businesses, particularly within the advanced packaging sector of the semiconductor industry.
Arizona’s semiconductor boom is due in large part to international companies looking for the synergy that comes with becoming part of a semiconductor supercenter. TSMC is not a solo act. Other global players like NXP are no strangers to the scene, having opened additional fabs around 2020, while ST Microelectronics has had a more fluctuating presence. Infineon, although not manufacturing directly, maintains a strategic office here, and let’s not overlook SUMCO, a manufacturer of silicon wafers — essential slices of material for semiconductor production. And it’s a growing trend, with equipment suppliers planting their flags in Arizona soil to support giants like TSMC and Intel. All this growth has led to Arizona achieving a milestone where “today, more Arizonans are employed than at any point in our state’s history,” according to Governor Katie Hobbs in her State of the State address.
Arizona stands as a testament to the power of international collaboration in fostering technological advancement and economic growth. “Arizona leads the way in attracting the high-tech and advanced manufacturing businesses that are building our nation’s future,” continued Governor Hobbs. The state’s thriving semiconductor sector is not just a local success story but a reflection of the broader trend where shared goals and cross-border partnerships drive innovation. The journey of Arizona’s semiconductor industry underscores a critical lesson: Global collaboration is not just beneficial, but essential in shaping the future of technology. As the industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned in Arizona will likely serve as a blueprint for success in the interconnected world of global business.
