Taiwan Relations Act 36th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on April 11, we marked the 36 year anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which serves as the legal foundation of our nation's important and enduring relationship with Taiwan.

The United States and Taiwan are united in common interests and a shared commitment to freedom and democracy. The Taiwanese people share our same cultural values of respect for individual liberties, freedom of speech, adherence to the rule of law, and support for human rights. Taiwan also shares a similar political system and works with our nation on issues of global security and counter-terrorism.

In addition to this close cultural, political, and security relationship, the United States and Taiwan also share a thriving economic partnership. Bilateral trade between the United States and Taiwan surpassed $67 billion last year, making Taiwan now our 10th largest trading partner--an impressive feat considering Taiwan's relatively small size of only 23 million people. In fact, my home state of Florida exported nearly $300 million worth of goods to Taiwan in 2013 alone, supporting jobs and livelihood for American workers.

Over the last few decades, Taiwan's economic and political ascension, with close American cooperation, has proven to be one of the great success stories in Asia, and we look forward to many more decades of friendship and mutual support.

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