Bill > SR0012

Introduced Session

resolution relating to reaffirming the friendship between the State of Vermont and Taiwan and supporting enhanced Vermont-Taiwan bilateral relations and Taiwan's participation in international organizations. Whereas, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) share a vibrant, mutually beneficial bilateral relationship based on our common values of freedom and a free-market economy, and the relationship is as strong as it has ever been, and Whereas, the January 2024 election of Dr. Lai Ching-te as the President of Taiwan demonstrates the vibrancy of Taiwan’s democracy, and Whereas, the United States is Taiwan’s second-largest trading partner and Taiwan is the United States’ seventh- largest trading partner; in 2024, the two-way trade in goods between the United States and Taiwan totaled in excess of $157 billion; and the United States is also the largest supplier of agricultural products to Taiwan, and Whereas, in 2022, the United States and Taiwan launched, and in 2023 signed, the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade, which, in part, “is intended to develop concrete ways to deepen the economic and trade relationship,” and the first agreement under the Initiative became effective in December 2024, and Whereas, Taiwan is the second-largest export destination for Vermont goods, worth approximately $254 million, and Vermont imported an estimated $55.3 million in goods from Taiwan, and Whereas, the Government of Taiwan has expressed a desire to reach an avoidance of double taxation agreement with the United States, which could increase Vermont’s exports to Taiwan, bilateral investment, and jobs in Vermont, and Whereas, Vermont and Taiwan have enjoyed a long history of productive bilateral relations, including entering into a driver’s license reciprocity agreement in 2020, and the Government of Taiwan desires to establish a memorandum of understanding with the State of Vermont to further increase educational exchanges and cooperation, and Whereas, United States policy toward Taiwan is not based on United Nations Resolution 2758 of 1971, but rather the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, which “provides for the continued membership of the people on Taiwan in any international financial institution or any other international organization,” and Whereas, Taiwan’s participation and contributions in international organizations, such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change would greatly benefit both the United States and the international community, now therefore be it

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Alison Clarkson (D)*,  Randy Brock (R),  Ann Cummings (D),  Russ Ingalls (R),  Joseph Major (D),  Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D),  Dave Weeks (R),  Becca White (D), 

As adopted by Senate (on 05/02/2025)

Official Document