TITLE: Expressing support for the strengthening of our partnership with Taiwan.

SUMMARY: Expressing support for the strengthening of our partnership with Taiwan.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The longstanding bonds of friendship between the United States and Taiwan, embodied in the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, continue to yield important economic, social, strategic, and cultural benefits; and WHEREAS, In 2024, U.S.-Taiwan trade reached $158.6 billion, with Taiwan ranking as the United States' sixth-largest export market for American agricultural products and the seventh-largest merchandise trading partner; that same year, Taiwan was fourth on the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom; the nation holds an important position in the global economy as a leader in the world's information and communications technology industry, and it is a trusted partner for economic cooperation and exchanges in industries such as those for smart machinery, the Internet of Things, biotechnology, energy technology, national defense, semiconductors, and the circular economy; and WHEREAS, Taiwanese officials and civil society groups partner with the United States on a range of issues to promote our common values of freedom, democracy, and human rights; these partnerships build on the cooperative tradition of prior initiatives such as the Global Cooperation and Training Framework, which advances Taiwanese leadership in such arenas as democratization, human rights, women's empowerment, and public health; and WHEREAS, Since 1988, Texas and Taiwan have maintained a sister-state relationship, and their robust trade and investment partnership provides a solid foundation for a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement to spur job creation, further expand the global market, and secure international, democratic supply chains; Taiwan is Texas' seventh-largest trade partner, with two-way trade reaching over $25.5 billion in 2024; in addition, Governor Greg Abbott traveled to Taiwan last year to open the State of Texas Taiwan Office, which facilitates pragmatic connections and exchanges between our peoples, institutions, and economies; and WHEREAS, Texas and the United States have benefited immeasurably through decades of unwavering friendship with Taiwan, and it is a pleasure to join in celebrating the longevity of this unique and vibrant partnership; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby express its support for the strengthening of our partnership with Taiwan; and, be it further RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives and Senate hereby: (a) commend Governor Greg Abbott for his efforts to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations with Taiwan; and (b) celebrate the 46th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act and the 37th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between the State of Texas and Taiwan; and, be it further RESOLVED, That official copies of this resolution be prepared for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston and the Capitol Press Corps as an expression of the sentiment of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Lujan Button Ordaz Paul Bhojani A. Davis of Dallas Longoria Plesa President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 127 was adopted by the House on May 19, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 0, 3 present, not voting. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 127 was adopted by the Senate on May 25, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor