[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 42 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. VIRGINIA FOXX

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2013

  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, April 10th will mark the 34th anniversary of 
the Taiwan Relations Act, legislation designed to ``help maintain 
peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific'' and promote the 
``continuation of commercial, cultural, and other relations'' between 
the American and Taiwanese people.
  Since this legislation's passage, Taiwan has become an economic 
powerhouse and a beacon of democracy in Southeast Asia. Taiwan is also 
a major consumer of American products--importing over $267 million in 
goods from my home state of North Carolina in 2011. In addition to 
being our 9th largest trading partner, Taiwan is the largest per capita 
importer of U.S. farm products in the world.
  I am therefore pleased that trade talks between the United States and 
Taiwan, as part of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, began 
recently after a six-year hiatus. My hope is that these discussions 
will bear fruit and help strengthen our vibrant commercial partnership 
with Taiwan.
  For these reasons, and many others, it seems appropriate to mark this 
occasion and highlight my sincere hope that the American and Taiwanese 
people will continue to work together in friendship to promote shared 
prosperity and further our mutual interests.

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