[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 11 (Monday, January 20, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E49]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORT FOR H.R. 33, UNITED STATES-TAIWAN EXPEDITED DOUBLE-TAX RELIEF
ACT
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HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH
of new jersey
in the house of representatives
Monday, January 20, 2025
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I wish to reiterate my strong
support for normalizing our tax treatment of Taiwan and for legislation
which passed this House last week on January 15, 2025, H.R. 33, the
United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act, introduced by my
good friend and colleague Jason Smith of Missouri.
As this legislation notes, Taiwan's international status is
``unique,'' and for far too long this bastion of democracy,
constitutionalism and freedom on the front line facing Communist China
has been disadvantaged by its irregular juridical status.
It makes no sense to penalize Taiwanese investors while privileging
investors from Communist China, especially when Taiwanese companies
such as TSMC and Global Wafers are investing money so we can securely
manufacture microchips and silicon wafers in the United States.
This is not simply a fairness issue, but also a national security
issue. Agents from Communist China are buying farmland near
strategically-sensitive locations, and coopting our universities into
becoming research arms of the People's Liberation Army. Meanwhile,
Taiwan is investing tens of billions of dollars to build semiconductor
factories in America at our invitation so we can help insulate
ourselves from mainland Chinese pressure. The U.S. should be
disincentivizing investment from Communist China while encouraging
investment from democratic Taiwan--not the other way around--and this
legislation goes a long way to balancing the scales.
I also note that our American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan strongly
supports this legislation. This legislation will also strengthen
bilateral investments between the United States and Taiwan.
I thank Mr. Smith (of Missouri) and Speaker Johnson for making this
legislation a priority so early this Congress. I call on the Senate to
swiftly pass this important legislation.
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