2025 -- S 1069

========

LC002774

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

____________

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND

TAIWAN WHILE SUPPORTING ENHANCED BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN

AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY

     Introduced By: Senators Lawson, Gallo, Ciccone, Tikoian, Paolino, Quezada, Vargas,
Raptakis, Urso, and Rogers

     Date Introduced: May 13, 2025

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, The United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a robust

bilateral relationship marked by a mutually beneficial partnership supported by our common

values of freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and a free market economy, that has resulted in

our countries enjoying among the strongest and most enduring relations to date; and

     WHEREAS, We congratulate Taiwan as May 20, 2025 marks the second year of the

Honorable Dr. Lai Ching-te as President and Bi-khim Hsiao as Vice President of Taiwan, thereby

demonstrating the vibrancy of Taiwan’s democracy; and

     WHEREAS, The United States ranks as Taiwan's second-largest trading partner, and

Taiwan was the seventh-largest trading partner of the United States in 2024, with United States

trade in goods with Taiwan totaling an estimated $157.8 billion, a 34.79% increase over 2023,

while the United States is the largest supplier of agricultural products to Taiwan, totaling $3.78

billion in 2024; and

     WHEREAS, The Government of Taiwan has expressed a desire to reach an Avoidance of

Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the United States, which will certainly increase

significantly Rhode Island exports to Taiwan, bilateral investment, and jobs in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Regarding Rhode Island-Taiwan trade, in 2024, Rhode Island’s total exports

to Taiwan reached $32.4 million, which included computer equipment, metal processing

products, basic chemicals, medical equipment, and electrical equipment and components, making

Taiwan the 18th-largest export market of Rhode Island in the world and one of largest markets for

Rhode Island in Asia. A Rhode Island trade office in Taiwan would further increase bilateral

trade exchanges and create more economic benefits for the people of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The U.S. government actively encourages engagement between the people

of the United States and Taiwan, especially at the state level, in terms of trade, investment,

commerce, education, and cultural exchanges, and supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in

international organizations. U.S. policy toward Taiwan is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act

(TRA) of 1979 and not United Nations Resolution 2758 (1971) which neither mentions Taiwan

nor prevents Taiwan’s international participation; and

     WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, making its

inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) imperative for the best interests and safety of

the international community. In addition, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC) is necessary in the global effort to combat climate change; now, therefore be

it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby encourages the Rhode

Island State Government to promote and strengthen bilateral trade relations with Taiwan,

including considering the possible opening of a trade office in Taiwan, and supports Taiwan's

legitimate right to participate in international organizations and agreements, including the WHO,

ICAO, and UNFCCC; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of

the United States; the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable

Daniel J. McKee, Governor, State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Dr. Lai Ching-te, President,

Republic of China (Taiwan); and Director-General Charles Liao of the Taipei Economic and

Cultural Office in Boston.

========

LC002774

========

LC002774 - Page 2 of 2