STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
_____
JOINT RESOLUTION TO REAFFIRM THE FRIENDSHIP
BETWEEN MAINE AND TAIWAN, ENHANCE BILATERAL
TRADE RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN AND SUPPORT TAIWAN'S
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
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, rule of law and a free market economy, and our countries now enjoy the
strongest relations ever, and we congratulate Taiwan on its presidential election held on January
13, 2024 and the election of Dr. Lai Ching-te, whose presidential inauguration is to be held on
May 20, 2024; and
WHEREAS, the United States ranks as Taiwan's 2nd largest trading partner, and Taiwan
is the 8th largest trading partner of the United States, with United States trade in goods with
Taiwan totaling an estimated $127.4 billion in 2023, and Taiwan was the 7th largest consumer
of agricultural goods in 2023, totaling $3.7 billion; and
WHEREAS, 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), Public
Law 96-8, which has acted as the cornerstone of United States-Taiwan relations to help
maintain peace, security and stability in the Western Pacific and to promote the foreign policy
of the United States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural and other relations
between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan, and for other purposes; and
WHEREAS, Taiwan-Maine bilateral trade totaled $50.3 million in 2023, and Maine
exported to Taiwan $31.1 million in integrated circuits, wafers, printed circuit boards,
crustaceans, paper products and other goods, making Taiwan Maine's 17th largest export
market in the world and 8th largest export market in Asia, and a formal bilateral trade
agreement between Taiwan and the United States would result in even greater Maine exports
to Taiwan and create more jobs for the people of Maine; and
WHEREAS, Maine and Taiwan have mutually agreed to enhancing K-12 education
exchange, and we welcome all opportunities for even closer educational cooperation with
Taiwan, such as the signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding higher education
cooperation and a driver's license reciprocity agreement for those who live and work in Maine
and Taiwan; and
WHEREAS, Maine recognizes Taiwan's contribution to a broad range of global issues,
and therefore Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health
Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, the International Civil Aviation
Organization and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is imperative
for the best interests and safety of the international community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Legislature now
assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, support a
stronger United States-Taiwan relationship under the Biden administration, including the
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signing of a bilateral trade agreement and an income tax agreement, and encourage the further
exploration of ways to strengthen and promote bilateral exchange between Maine and Taiwan,
including signing a driver's license reciprocity agreement and a memorandum of understanding
regarding higher education cooperation with Taiwan in the near future, and support pursuing
ways to further increase trade and people-to-people exchanges; and be it further
RESOLVED: That we support Taiwan's legitimate right to participate in international
organizations, agreements and mechanisms; and be it further
RESOLVED: That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary
of State, be transmitted to the Honorable Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States, the
members of the Maine Congressional Delegation, the Honorable Janet Mills, Governor of
Maine, the Honorable Tsai Ing-wen, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the
Honorable Charles Liao, Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Boston, Massachusetts.
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