[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     HAPPY DOUBLE TEN DAY (TAIWAN)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, October 10, or Double Ten Day, is the 
national day of Taiwan. Given the warm ties between the United States 
and Taiwan, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the people of 
Taiwan a very Happy Double Ten Day.
  The United States and Taiwan, despite our lack of an official 
diplomatic relationship, are important economic and security partners. 
From a security standpoint, as pledged in the Taiwan Relations Act, we 
continue to support democracy in Taiwan through our arms sales. I would 
also like to call to attention the recent Taiwan related provisions, 
enacted into law in August of this year, in conjunction with the 
National Defense Authorization Act for the fiscal year 2019. This newly 
enacted law reiterates that the TRA and the Six Assurances are the 
cornerstones of our relations with Taiwan. In addition, it calls for 
the strengthening of defense cooperation with Taiwan to ensure Taiwan 
can maintain sufficient self-defense capability; for supporting 
Taiwan's acquisition of defensive weapons; and for more predictability 
with respect to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
  Where trade and economic prosperity are concerned, our two countries 
have made great strides. In 2017, Taiwan was ranked as the 11th largest 
trading partner of the United States, the 11th largest U.S. export 
market overall and the 7th largest market for U.S. agricultural 
products. Taiwan imported $3.57 billion of food and agricultural 
products from the U.S., representing more than 28 percent of total 
imports of those products. Taiwan regularly sponsors trade missions to 
the United States in pursuit of agricultural products. Last year those 
missions culminated in the signing of letters of intent to purchase 
approximately $2.8 billion in U.S.-produced grains between 2018 and 
2019. Just in late September, another trade mission from Taiwan visited 
the United States in pursuit of $300 million of soybeans purchases. Our 
two countries should and will continue to seek avenues where we can 
work together, and I hope my colleagues will join me in promoting this 
cooperation wherever possible.
  I ask my House colleagues to join me in wishing the people of Taiwan 
all the best as they celebrate Double Ten Day.

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