HR 2

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 05/11/2023 05:50pm

A House resolution
expressing the sense of the Minnesota House of Representatives reaffirming its
commitment to the strengthening and deepening of the sister ties between the state of
Minnesota and Taiwan.

WHEREAS, in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister-state relationship with Taiwan,
the Republic of China (R.O.C.), and Minnesota and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade,
educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule
of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the state of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan's second-largest trading partner. Taiwan is
the eighth-largest trading partner of the United States, and bilateral trade reached more than $856
billion in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan imported nearly $3.9 billion worth of United States farm products in
2021, making it the seventh-largest market for United States agricultural products overall, the
fourth-largest market on a per capita basis among the top ten United States agricultural export
destinations, and the seventh-largest market for United States soybeans and corn, individually; and

WHEREAS, due to its high quality produce, the United States remains one of Taiwan's largest
sources of agricultural products, supplying more than one-fifth of Taiwan's major agricultural
imports; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan and the state of Minnesota have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial
relationship with the prospect of future growth, and Taiwan was Minnesota's fifth-largest export
market in Asia in 2021, with $526 million worth of Minnesota goods exported to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, to strengthen the Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential
to support Minnesota businesses to enhance their economic engagement with Taiwan based on the
1979 Taiwan Relations Act, United States Code, title 22, section 3301. As article 4, section b, of
the TRA stipulates that "wherever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries,
nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply
with respect to Taiwan;" it is legitimate for Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan in
conducting their business ties with Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), the avoidance of double
taxation agreement (ADTA), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
between Taiwan and the United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral
trade between the two countries, thereby increasing Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating
bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation
measures; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of "steadfast diplomacy" in its international
relations. Taiwan is capable of, and willing to, fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the
world to deal with the challenges of humanitarian aid, disease control, and so forth; NOW,
THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota that it reaffirms
its commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between the State of Minnesota and
Taiwan, R.O.C.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives reaffirms its support for
the Taiwan Relations Act and supports Minnesota businesses referring to Taiwan as Taiwan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives endorses Taiwan's efforts
to secure the signing of a BTA, the ADTA, and the IPEF with the United States, and reiterates its
support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the state of Minnesota and Taiwan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the House of Representatives continues to support
Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations which impact the health, safety,
and well-being of the people of Taiwan, and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions
in international societies.