[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 163 (Tuesday, October 2, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL DAY OF TAIWAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB BISHOP

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2018

  Mr. BISHOP of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
National Day of Taiwan and its ongoing relationship with the United 
States. Relations between our two countries were cemented with the 
passage of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979 and have flourished 
for nearly 30 years.
  Throughout the decades, Taiwan and the United States have 
continuously stood strong together against a number of challenges, 
while maintaining a steadfast commitment to one another's mutual 
security and prosperity. This commitment was first enshrined in the 
Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 (TRA) and was supplemented by the Six 
Assurances by President Ronald Reagan in 1982. The TRA and the Six 
Assurances form the foundation of America's unshakable relationship 
with Taiwan and today, I would like to express my personal and 
continuing support for these pillars of our strategic partnership.
  Our ongoing commitment to cooperation also extends into the areas of 
trade and economics. In 2017, Taiwan was ranked as the 11th largest 
trading partner of the United States, the 11th largest U.S. export 
market and the 7th largest market for U.S. agricultural products. 
Taiwan has 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 also regularly sponsors trade missions to the United States in 
pursuit of agricultural products. Last year, these missions culminated 
in the signing of letters of intent to purchase approximately $2.8 
billion in U.S.-produced grains between 2018 and 2019. Similar missions 
are organized by the U.S. Commercial Service to assist U.S. companies 
in identifying opportunities in Taiwan. One such mission was recently 
organized in conjunction with the World Trade Center of Utah and led by 
Governor Gary Herbert to assist Utah-based companies, and other Western 
states, to network in Taiwan. I will continue to seek avenues where we 
can work together to further promote not only Utah-Taiwan relations, 
but U.S.-Taiwan relations in general. I hope my colleagues will join me 
in promoting this cooperation wherever possible.
  Once again, I am proud to recognize Taiwan's National Day, and look 
forward to many years of friendly and prosperous relations between our 
two nations.

                          ____________________