| R 322 |
| 2026 -- S 3280 Enacted 05/12/2026 |
| 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 Gallo, Felag, Tikoian, Appollonio, LaMountain, McKenney, Rogers, Raptakis, Sosnowski, and Famiglietti |
| Date Introduced: May 12, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, The year 2026 marks the 250th Anniversary of the United States of |
| America, commemorating its founding on principles of freedom and democracy, and also marks |
| the 30th Anniversary of the first direct Presidential election by the people of Taiwan, symbolizing |
| Taiwan’s democratic achievement and highlighting the strong, enduring commitment to |
| democracy, freedom, and the rule of law shared by Taiwan, the United States, and the State of |
| Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, We congratulate Taiwan as May 20, 2026, marks the second anniversary of |
| the Honorable Dr. Lai Ching-te as President and Bi-khim Hsiao as Vice President of the Republic |
| of China (Taiwan), thereby demonstrating the vibrancy of Taiwan’s democracy; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States and 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, which have resulted in our countries’ strong and |
| enduring relations. Furthermore, the deepening of cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan in |
| the defense industry has further safeguarded Taiwan’s freedom and democracy; and |
| WHEREAS, The most recent available data regarding Rhode Island–Taiwan trade |
| indicates that Rhode Island exports to Taiwan totaled approximately $33.6 million in 2025, |
| ranking Taiwan as Rhode Island’s fifth-largest export market in Asia, and Taiwan desires to |
| explore greater opportunities to increase bilateral trade with Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, The United States remains one of Taiwan’s most important economic |
| partners. The U.S. ranks as Taiwan's 2nd-largest trading partner and Taiwan is the fourth-largest |
| trading partner for the U.S. in 2025 with total U.S. goods traded with Taiwan amounting to |
| approximately $256.1 billion, including U.S. goods exports of about $54.7 billion and imports |
| from Taiwan of about $201.4 billion, reflecting strong growth in trade in 2025; and the U.S. is |
| now Taiwan’s largest export market for the first time in 26 years, and the U.S. remains a leading |
| supplier of agricultural products to Taiwan, with agricultural exports to Taiwan valued at |
| approximately $2.3 billion (2025); and |
| WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan have deepened cooperation in the defense |
| industry, from drones to cybersecurity, enhancing Taiwan’s security amid regional tensions; and |
| this collaboration also strengthens global AI and high-tech supply chains by keeping critical |
| technologies diversified and secure, while promoting economic growth and job creation in the |
| U.S., Rhode Island, and Taiwan; and |
| WHEREAS, In 2022, the U.S. and Taiwan launched, and in 2023 signed, the U.S.- |
| Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, which, in part, is intended to develop concrete ways to |
| deepen the economic and trade relationship, and the first agreement under the Initiative became |
| effective in December 2024. In addition, the Government of Taiwan has expressed a desire to |
| conclude an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the United States, which |
| would further enhance Rhode Island exports to Taiwan, encourage bilateral investment, and |
| support job creation in Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Legislature recognizes that the possibility of establishing |
| a Rhode Island Trade Office in Taiwan would strengthen economic and commercial ties, promote |
| Rhode Island exports, attract Taiwanese investment, and create jobs within Rhode Island and |
| provide a permanent platform to facilitate business collaboration, support Rhode Island |
| companies in accessing Asian markets, and further enhance the long-standing, mutually |
| beneficial economic and trade relationship between Rhode Island and Taiwan; and |
| WHEREAS, Signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on economic and trade |
| cooperation between Rhode Island and Taiwan will strengthen bilateral ties by creating clearer |
| frameworks for collaboration, investment, and market access for businesses on both sides. This |
| partnership is expected to drive trade growth by opening new export opportunities for Rhode |
| Island products to Taiwan, fostering innovation, and encouraging long-term, mutually beneficial |
| economic engagement; and |
| WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership in hosting the Dragon |
| Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the Taipei |
| Economic and Cultural Office in Boston, and this annual celebration has become a cherished |
| tradition, drawing thousands of visitors and fostering cultural exchange, community engagement, |
| and goodwill; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Legislature recognizes the importance of fostering strong, |
| long-term relations with Taiwan across trade, investment, education, and cultural exchanges, the |
| creation of a Taiwan Caucus within the Rhode Island Legislature would provide a dedicated |
| forum for lawmakers to coordinate initiatives and demonstrate Rhode Island’s ongoing |
| commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership with Taiwan and enhance dialogue and |
| cooperation on issues of common interest; 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), the |
| International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation |
| Organization (ICAO) imperative for the best interests and safety of the international community. |
| In addition, Taiwan's inclusion in 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 establishing a Taiwan Caucus in the Legislature, considering the possible opening of a |
| trade office in Taiwan, signing an MOU on economic and trade cooperation, conclude an |
| Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and support Taiwan's participation in |
| international organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA, INTERPOL, UNFCCC, |
| and ICAO; 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 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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| LC006295 |
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