[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E612]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 UNITED STATES-TAIWAN INITIATIVE ON 21ST-CENTURY TRADE FIRST AGREEMENT 
                           IMPLEMENTATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2023

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4004, 
the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade First 
Agreement Implementation Act.
  This bill expresses the approval of Congress for the June 1, 2023, 
agreement regarding trade between the United States and Taiwan.
  The bill also imposes requirements on the negotiations of certain 
further trade agreements between the United States and Taiwan.
  The bill also imposes requirements on the negotiation of further 
agreements under the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century 
Trade, such as requiring the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to:
  (1) share any U.S. negotiating texts with Congress prior to sharing 
the text with Taiwan or any parties outside of the executive branch.
  (2) share any negotiating texts from Taiwan within three days of 
receipt, and
  (3) provide daily briefings to certain Members of Congress during 
negotiating rounds.
  A further agreement shall not take effect unless
  (1) the President, at least 60 days before entering into the further 
agreement, makes the text publicly available on a USTR website; and
  (2) a bill is enacted into law expressly approving the further 
agreement.
  The United States and Taiwan signed a first agreement under the U.S.-
Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, announced in June 2022.
  The initial 2022 agreement aimed to streamline customs procedures, 
help smaller businesses navigate the regulatory procedures in both 
markets, and prevent corruption.
  This agreement is not a formal free-trade agreement that regulates 
tariffs, but rather aims to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan trade ties amid 
heightened tensions.
  Taiwan and the United States have maintained commercial ties since 
1979.
  Although the United States does not have diplomatic relations with 
Taiwan, we maintain a strong unofficial relationship that must 
continue, and H.R. 4004 will allow the United States to do such that.

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