| R 292 |
| 2025 -- S 1069 Enacted 05/13/2025 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
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| LC002774 |
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