1.1A Senate resolution
1.2reaffirming its commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between
1.3the state of Minnesota and Taiwan.
1.4WHEREAS, in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister-state relationship with Taiwan and
1.5Minnesota and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism;
1.6and
1.7WHEREAS, Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law,
1.8peace, 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 the
1.10ninth-largest trading partner of the United States, and bilateral trade reached more than $160 billion in 2022;
1.11and
1.12WHEREAS, Taiwan imported $4.4 billion worth of United States farm products in 2021, making it
1.13the seventh-largest market for United States agricultural products overall, the fourth-largest market on a per
1.14capita basis among the top ten United States agricultural export destinations, and the seventh-largest market
1.15for United States soybeans and corn; 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 the country's major agricultural imports;
1.18and
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 fourth-largest export market
1.21in Asia in 2022, with $610 million worth of Minnesota goods exported to Taiwan; and
1.22WHEREAS, Taiwan provided more than 100,000 masks to Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic
1.23in a gesture of goodwill to help meet a global humanitarian need; and
1.24WHEREAS, to strengthen Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential to support
1.25Minnesota businesses to enhance their economic engagement with Taiwan based on the 1979 Taiwan
1.26Relations Act. Article 4 of that act stipulates that "wherever the laws of the United States refer or relate to
1.27foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws
1.28shall apply with respect to Taiwan," it is legitimate for Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan
1.29in conducting their business with Taiwan; and
1.30WHEREAS, negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double Taxation
1.31Agreement, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity between Taiwan and the United States
1.32are an important step toward further strengthening bilateral trade between our countries, thereby increasing
1.33Minnesota's exports to Taiwan and creating bilateral investment and technical collaboration through tariff
1.34reduction and other trade facilitation measures; and
1.35WHEREAS, Taiwan has undertaken a policy of "steadfast diplomacy" in its international relations.
1.36Taiwan is capable of, and willing to, fulfill its responsibilities and to collaborate with the world to deal with
1.37the challenges of humanitarian aid and disease control; and
1.38WHEREAS, during this year's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month, we
1.39celebrate Minnesota's vibrant Taiwanese-American community that has enriched the state's culture, cuisine,
1.40and commerce for decades; and
1.41NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it reaffirms
1.42its commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between the State of Minnesota and Taiwan.
1.43BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate reaffirms its support for the Taiwan Relations Act
1.44and encourages Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan.
1.45BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate endorses Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of
1.46a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement, and the Indo-Pacific Economic
1.47Framework for Prosperity with the United States, and reiterates its support for a closer economic and trade
1.48partnership between the State of Minnesota and Taiwan.
2.1BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate continues to support Taiwan's meaningful
2.2participation in international organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Health Organization,
2.3ICAO, UNFCCC, and INTERPOL, which impact the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan,
2.4and supports Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions in international societies.