H 8541

2026 -- H 8541
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  STATE  OF        RHODE  ISLAND
  IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
  JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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  HOUSE RESOLUTION
  REAFFIRMING THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND
 TAIWAN WHILE SUPPORTING ENHANCED BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH TAIWAN
  AND TAIWAN'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
  Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Kazarian,
  Edwards, McNamara, Abney, Azzinaro, Phillips, and Santucci
  Date Introduced: May 12, 2026
  Referred To: House read and passed
1WHEREAS, The year 2026 marks the 250th Anniversary of the United States of
2 America, commemorating its founding on principles of freedom and democracy, and also marks
3 the 30th Anniversary of the first direct Presidential election by the people of Taiwan, symbolizing
4 Taiwan’s democratic achievement and highlighting the strong, enduring commitment to
5 democracy, freedom, and the rule of law shared by Taiwan, the United States, and the State of
6 Rhode Island; and
7WHEREAS, We congratulate Taiwan as May 20, 2026, marks the second anniversary of
8 the Honorable Dr. Lai Ching-te as President and Bi-khim Hsiao as Vice President of the Republic
9 of China (Taiwan), thereby demonstrating the vibrancy of Taiwan’s democracy; and
10WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan share a robust bilateral relationship marked
11 by a mutually beneficial partnership supported by our common values of freedom, democracy,
12 the rule of law, and a free market economy, which have resulted in our countries’ strong and
13 enduring relations. Furthermore, the deepening of cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan in
14 the defense industry has further safeguarded Taiwan’s freedom and democracy; and
15WHEREAS, The most recent available data regarding Rhode Island–Taiwan trade
16 indicates that Rhode Island exports to Taiwan totaled approximately $33.6 million in 2025,
17 ranking Taiwan as Rhode Island’s fifth-largest export market in Asia, and Taiwan desires to
18 explore greater opportunities to increase bilateral trade with Rhode Island; and
19WHEREAS, The United States remains one of Taiwan’s most important economic
1 partners. The U.S. ranks as Taiwan's 2nd-largest trading partner and Taiwan is the fourth-largest
2 trading partner for the U.S. in 2025 with total U.S. goods traded with Taiwan amounting to
3 approximately $256.1 billion, including U.S. goods exports of about $54.7 billion and imports
4 from Taiwan of about $201.4 billion, reflecting strong growth in trade in 2025; and the U.S. is
5 now Taiwan’s largest export market for the first time in 26 years, and the U.S. remains a leading
6 supplier of agricultural products to Taiwan, with agricultural exports to Taiwan valued at
7 approximately $2.3 billion (2025); and
8WHEREAS, The United States and Taiwan have deepened cooperation in the defense
9 industry, from drones to cybersecurity, enhancing Taiwan’s security amid regional tensions; and
10 this collaboration also strengthens global AI and high-tech supply chains by keeping critical
11 technologies diversified and secure, while promoting economic growth and job creation in the
12 U.S., Rhode Island, and Taiwan; and
13WHEREAS, In 2022, the U.S. and Taiwan launched, and in 2023 signed, the U.S.-
14 Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, which, in part, is intended to develop concrete ways to
15 deepen the economic and trade relationship, and the first agreement under the Initiative became
16 effective in December 2024. In addition, the Government of Taiwan has expressed a desire to
17 conclude an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the United States, which
18 would further enhance Rhode Island exports to Taiwan, encourage bilateral investment, and
19 support job creation in Rhode Island; and
20WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Legislature recognizes that the possibility of establishing
21 a Rhode Island Trade Office in Taiwan would strengthen economic and commercial ties, promote
22 Rhode Island exports, attract Taiwanese investment, and create jobs within Rhode Island and
23 provide a permanent platform to facilitate business collaboration, support Rhode Island
24 companies in accessing Asian markets, and further enhance the long-standing, mutually
25 beneficial economic and trade relationship between Rhode Island and Taiwan; and
26WHEREAS, Signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on economic and trade
27 cooperation between Rhode Island and Taiwan will strengthen bilateral ties by creating clearer
28 frameworks for collaboration, investment, and market access for businesses on both sides. This
29 partnership is expected to drive trade growth by opening new export opportunities for Rhode
30 Island products to Taiwan, fostering innovation, and encouraging long-term, mutually beneficial
31 economic engagement; and
32WHEREAS, 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership in hosting the Dragon
33 Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and the Taipei
34 Economic and Cultural Office in Boston, and this annual celebration has become a cherished
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1 tradition, drawing thousands of visitors and fostering cultural exchange, community engagement,
2 and goodwill; and
3WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Legislature recognizes the importance of fostering strong,
4 long-term relations with Taiwan across trade, investment, education, and cultural exchanges, the
5 creation of a Taiwan Caucus within the Rhode Island Legislature would provide a dedicated
6 forum for lawmakers to coordinate initiatives and demonstrate Rhode Island’s ongoing
7 commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership with Taiwan and enhance dialogue and
8 cooperation on issues of common interest; and
9WHEREAS, Taiwan is a key transport hub in the Asia-Pacific region, making its
10 inclusion in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the
11 International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation
12 Organization (ICAO) imperative for the best interests and safety of the international community.
13 In addition, Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
14 (UNFCCC) is necessary in the global effort to combat climate change; now, therefore, be it
15RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
16 encourages the Rhode Island State Government to promote and strengthen bilateral trade relations
17 with Taiwan, including establishing a Taiwan Caucus in the Legislature, considering the possible
18 opening of a trade office in Taiwan, signing an MOU on economic and trade cooperation,
19 conclude an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA), and support Taiwan's
20 participation in international organizations and agreements, including the WHO, WHA,
21 INTERPOL, UNFCCC, and ICAO; and be it further
22RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
23 transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of
24 the United States; the Rhode Island Delegation to the United States Congress; the Honorable
25 Daniel J. McKee, Governor, State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Lai Ching-te, President,
26 Republic of China (Taiwan), and Director-General Charles Liao of the Taipei Economic and
27 Cultural Office in Boston.
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