[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 136 (Friday, October 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TAIWAN'S NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2013

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, on October 10th our good friends in 
Southeast Asia, Taiwan, will celebrate their 102nd year. Known to the 
people of Taiwan as Double Ten day since it falls on the tenth day of 
the tenth month. This is Taiwan's National day and is revered and 
celebrated with as much excitement and fanfare as we celebrate the 
Fourth of July here in the United States.
  Taiwan has been a strong ally and economic partner for many years; 
and remains as such today. The two way trade between Taiwan and the 
United States is around $63 billion per year. Taiwan was the United 
States' 11th largest trading partner and the 7th largest purchaser of 
agricultural exports from America in 2012.
  Due to this high volume of trade between our two countries, it is in 
our best interest to see Taiwan remain competitive in the global arena. 
There are two areas that would help Taiwan in this regard.
  It would be beneficial to both the United States and Taiwan if both 
countries would sign a Bilateral Investment Agreement (BIA). With this 
agreement in place, there would be greater protections for investors 
from both countries allowing these investors have greater confidence.
  Additionally, Taiwan should be included in the Trans-Pacific 
Partnership (TPP). The TPP is a multi-nation trade agreement which is 
currently being discussed by countries such as Australia, Canada, 
Japan, Mexico and the United States (among others) to ``enhance trade 
and investment''. Since Taiwan is a vital part of the Asian economy and 
an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) member, they should be able 
to join the TPP as well.
  Please join me in wishing Taiwan a successful National Day with the 
hopes that they can remain competitive on the world stage by moving 
forward with these agreements.

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