1.1A Senate resolution
1.2expressing the sense of the Minnesota Senate reaffirming its commitment to
1.3strengthening and deepening sister ties between the state of Minnesota and Taiwan.
1.4WHEREAS, in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister-state relationship with Taiwan,
1.5Republic of China, and Minnesota and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade, educational and
1.6cultural exchanges, and tourism; and
1.7WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule
1.8of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the state of Minnesota; and
1.9WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan's second-largest trading partner. Taiwan is
1.10the eighth-largest trading partner of the United States, and bilateral trade reached more than $856
1.11billion in 2021; and
1.12WHEREAS, Taiwan imported nearly $3.9 billion worth of United States farm products in
1.132021, making it the seventh-largest market for United States agricultural products overall, the
1.14fourth-largest market on a per capita basis among the top ten United States agricultural export
1.15destinations, and the seventh-largest market for United States soybeans and corn, individually; and
1.16WHEREAS, due to its high quality produce, the United States remains one of Taiwan's largest
1.17sources of agricultural products, supplying more than one-fifth of Taiwan's major agricultural
1.18imports; and
1.19WHEREAS, Taiwan and the state of Minnesota have enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial
1.20relationship with the prospect of future growth, and Taiwan was Minnesota's fifth-largest export
1.21market in Asia in 2021, with $526 million worth of Minnesota goods exported to Taiwan; and
1.22WHEREAS, to strengthen the Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential
1.23to support Minnesota businesses to enhance their economic engagement with Taiwan based on the
1.241979 Taiwan Relations Act. Article 4 of the act stipulates that "wherever the laws of the United
2.1States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such
2.2terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan," and it is therefore legitimate
2.3for Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan in conducting their business ties with Taiwan;
2.4and
2.5WHEREAS, negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double Taxation
2.6Agreement, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity between Taiwan and the
2.7United States are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade between the two
2.8countries, thereby increasing Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and
2.9technical collaboration through tariff reduction and other measures to facilitate trade; and
2.10WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of "steadfast diplomacy" in its international
2.11relations. Taiwan is capable of and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the
2.12world to deal with the challenges of humanitarian aid, disease control, and other issues; NOW,
2.13THEREFORE,
2.14BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it reaffirms its commitment
2.15to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between the state of Minnesota and Taiwan, Republic
2.16of China.
2.17BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate reaffirms its support for the Taiwan Relations
2.18Act and supports Minnesota businesses referring to Taiwan as Taiwan.
2.19BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Minnesota endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing
2.20of a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and the Indo-Pacific
2.21Economic Framework for Prosperity with the United States and reiterates its support for a closer
2.22economic and trade partnership between the state of Minnesota and Taiwan.
2.23BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Minnesota continues to support Taiwan's meaningful
2.24participation in international organizations that impact the health, safety, and well-being of the
2.25people of Taiwan, and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international
2.26societies.