HR 10

Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)

Posted on 05/06/2026 04:31 p.m.

A House resolution
reaffirming the commitment of the Minnesota House of Representatives to strengthening
and deepening sister ties between the state of Minnesota and Taiwan; reaffirming
support for the Taiwan Relations Act by urging all enterprises in Minnesota to refer
to Taiwan as Taiwan; supporting Taiwan's signing of a bilateral trade agreement, the
avoidance of double taxation agreement, and the Indo-Pacific economic framework
for prosperity with the United States; and reiterating continued support for increasing
Taiwan's international profile.

WHEREAS, in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister state relationship with Taiwan.
Since then, 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, 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 was
the eighth-largest trading partner of the United States and bilateral trade reached more than $185.7
billion in 2024; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan was the United States' seventh-largest merchandise trading partner,
12th-largest export market, and eighth-largest source of imports in 2024; and

WHEREAS, from 2021 to 2024, trade between the United States and Taiwan grew by 62
percent, reaching $158.6 billion, with Taiwan's direct investment in the United States totaling $14.1
billion, bolstering supply chain resilience, industrial cooperation, innovation, and talent exchange;
and

WHEREAS, Taiwan imported $8.46 billion worth of United States farm products from 2021
to 2024, making it the ninth-largest market for United States soybeans and corn, benefiting
Minnesotan farmers; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan sent an agriculture goodwill trade mission to Minnesota in September
2022, followed by another agriculture goodwill trade mission to the United States in September
2025, and made commitments to purchase up to $9.6 billion of United States soybeans and corn
from various American states, including Minnesota; 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 the country's major agricultural
imports; and

WHEREAS, President Lai Ching-te announced that Taiwanese businesses plan to increase
purchases of agricultural commodities to $10 billion between 2025 and 2028, an 18-percent rise,
which will reduce the United States trade deficit and mitigate risks from global trade disruptions;
and

WHEREAS, Taiwan pursues integrated, values-based, and ally-focused diplomacy and
contributes to humanitarian aid, medical assistance, disaster relief, and global public health; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan has committed to strengthening its self defense, with a military budget
that is projected to reach 3.32 percent of gross domestic product next year and a goal of five percent
by 2030; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan promotes the "Strategic Three Chains," which include the Democratic
Value Chain grounded in freedom, human rights, and rule of law; the Non-Red Supply Chain
reducing authoritarian dependence; and the First Island Chain linking South Korea, Japan, Taiwan,
and the Philippines as a barrier to authoritarian expansion to secure peace, prosperity, and security
in the Indo-Pacific; 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 ninth-largest export
market in 2024, with $640 million worth of Minnesota goods exported to Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan provided more than 100,000 masks to Minnesota during the COVID-19
pandemic in a gesture of goodwill to help meet global humanitarian needs; and

WHEREAS, to strengthen the Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential
to support Minnesota businesses' economic engagement with Taiwan, pursuant to the 1979 Taiwan
Relations Act (Public Law 96-8, United States Code, title 22, section 3301). As Article 4, Section
b, of the Taiwan Relations Act 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 when conducting business with Taiwan; and

WHEREAS, Taiwan and the United States have condemned the People's Republic of China's
misuse of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to isolate Taiwan and restrict Taiwan's
sovereign choices; and

WHEREAS, the United States has reaffirmed that Resolution 2758 does not bar Taiwan's
participation in the United Nations system or other multilateral fora, as stated at the World Health
Organization Executive Board and the United Nations Security Council; and

WHEREAS, negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, the avoidance of double taxation
agreement, and Indo-Pacific economic framework for prosperity between Taiwan and the United
States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade between our countries,
thereby increasing Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investments and technical
collaboration through tariff reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and

WHEREAS, having undertaken a policy of integrated diplomacy, highlighting values-based
diplomacy, alliance-based diplomacy, and economic and trade diplomacy, Taiwan is capable of
and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to deal with the challenges
of humanitarian aid and disease control; and

WHEREAS, during this year's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month,
we celebrate Minnesota's vibrant Taiwanese American community, which has enriched the state's
culture, cuisine, and commerce for decades; and

WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, a
milestone reflecting the nation's enduring commitment to liberty, democracy, prosperity, and peace;
and

WHEREAS, 2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first presidential election,
underscoring the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the shared responsibility
of democratic partners to deter aggression; 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.

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it encourages and supports continued efforts by the governments of the United States and
Taiwan to advance negotiations toward a bilateral trade agreement and to negotiate and conclude
a comprehensive tax agreement to address double taxation, recognizing that such agreements would
enhance bilateral trade, promote increased investment, and create new economic opportunities that
benefit the people and businesses of Minnesota.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in the international arena and condemns efforts
to undermine Taiwan's sovereign status or international engagement through the distortion of United
Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it recognizes the significance of these historic milestones and reaffirms its strong support for
continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of a bilateral trade agreement, the avoidance
of double taxation agreement, and Indo-Pacific economic framework for prosperity 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 by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it continues to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations, such
as the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization,
the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the International Criminal
Police Organization, which impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan, and
supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions to international societies.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Minnesota
that it supports the state of Minnesota and Taiwan in continuing to deepen their bilateral partnership,
strengthen economic and people-to-people ties, and advance shared democratic values in the years
ahead.