[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6187]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TAIWAN RELATIONS ACT 35TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. MANCHIN. Mr. President, I wish to celebrate the 35th anniversary 
of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, which has served as 
a tangible symbol of the unbreakable friendship between the United 
States and Taiwan. Today, the partnership between our two countries is 
stronger than ever.
  The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act provides the framework for our official 
engagements with Taiwan, which marked the end of our official 
diplomatic ties. For 35 years the TRA has facilitated a partnership 
committed to facilitating trade, investment, security cooperation, and 
promoting regional security.
  The bilateral achievements made through the TRA have allowed our 
citizens to create innovative and lasting advancements to the world 
economy. Today, Taiwan stands as our 12th largest trading partner, and 
in 2013, the United States and Taiwan traded over $63 billion in goods 
and services. This bilateral relationship has supported thousands of 
jobs in both countries, and we must remain committed to the mutual 
gains this collaboration can provide.
  I applaud our West Virginia businesses that have recognized the 
potential of the Taiwanese economy and exported over $41 million in 
commodities, high-tech goods, and services to Taiwan last year. We must 
build on this strong foundation while helping Taiwan meet its needs for 
foreign sources of energy. I will continue to seek opportunities for 
further trade integration with Taiwan and shared economic prosperity.
  I look forward to working hand-in-hand with our friends in Taiwan to 
ensure the next generation of American leaders can stand where I stand 
today, 35 years from now, and celebrate several more decades of 
peaceful and vibrant collaboration.

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