[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 161 (Friday, September 28, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING TAIWAN NATIONAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM EMMER

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 28, 2018

  Mr. EMMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 107th 
National Day of Taiwan. The United States and Taiwan have enjoyed a 
fruitful partnership for decades, and I would like to wish the people 
of Taiwan a very Happy National Day.
  Taiwan is a critical partner of the United States and my state of 
Minnesota. Over the last decade, Taiwan has shown and continues to be a 
prosperous nation characterized by strong economic growth, a commitment 
to democracy and respect for basic human rights and freedoms.
  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 
with the intent to purchase $300 million in soybeans and other 
agriculture products. The mission also traveled to Minnesota, one of 
the biggest agriculture and soybean producing states in the U.S. In 
fact, Taiwan is Minnesota's 5th largest export market in Asia, with 
over $450 million in goods exported in 2016. Our two countries will 
continue to seek avenues where we can work together, and I hope my 
colleagues will join me in promoting this cooperation wherever 
possible.
  Minnesota and the rest of the country benefit from our relationship 
with Taiwan and continuing this important partnership. It is my 
privilege to congratulate the celebrants of the ``Double Tenth Day,'' 
and I look forward to celebrating this important event for many years 
to come.

                          ____________________