On March 7, 2023, the Florida Senate adopted resolution S.R. 944, “supporting bilateral economic and cultural ties between the State of Florida and Taiwan.” The resolution was proposed by Florida Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez on February 20, 2023. The text of the resolution states that “the forging of a United States-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement would serve as the foundation for deepening the already significant trade relationship between reliable and like-minded partners”
The US-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement Coalition welcomes this resolution and Florida’s support for a Bilateral Trade Agreement with Taiwan.
Senate Resolution:
A resolution expressing appreciation for the sister state relationship and bilateral economic and cultural ties between the State of Florida and Taiwan.
WHEREAS, April 10, 2023, marks the 44th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act, which codified in law the basis for continued commercial and cultural relations between the people of the United States and Taiwan, and
WHEREAS, since November 1, 2012, Taiwan has been a member of the United States Visa Waiver Program, which makes two-way travel for business and tourism more convenient, reflecting the cooperation between the United States and Taiwan, and
WHEREAS, the launch of FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 on June 25, 2019, a joint United States-Taiwan collaborative space mission of a constellation of six satellites designed to enhance the accuracy of atmospheric weather prediction, has demonstrated the mutual benefit born of the relations between this country and Taiwan, and
WHEREAS, the first female president of Taiwan, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, elected in 2016 and reelected for a second term of January 11, 2020, was welcomed to this state in June 2016, as were the Speaker of Tainan City Council, Kuo Hsin-liang, and his delegation the following month, further enhancing the bilateral relationship between Taiwan and this state, as well as strengthening the common values that Taiwan shares with this country, and
WHEREAS, Taiwan participates in international organizations, including its bid for observer status in the International Criminal Police Organization; its involvement with the World Health Assembly, the International Civil Aviation Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; and its membership status in both the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the World Trade Organization, and participates, observes, and cooperates with more than 50 international organizations, and
WHEREAS, as of October 2022, Taiwan was the United States’ 10th-largest trading partner and, between 2019 and 2021, was the State of Florida’s 8th-largest export destination and its 5th-largest import source market in Asia, and
WHEREAS, the economic bonds between the United States and Taiwan continue to flourish, and Taiwan’s inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework during 2023 and forging of a United States-Taiwan Bilateral Trade Agreement would serve as the foundation for deepening the already significant trade relationship between reliable and like-minded partners, and
WHEREAS, this year marks the 31st anniversary of the enactment of the sister state relationship shared between the State of Florida and Taiwan, and
WHEREAS, several sister city relationships exist between Florida and Taiwan, such as between Miami-Dade County and New Taipei City, formerly Taipei County; the Port of Miami and the Port of Kaohsiung; the City of Orlando and Tainan City; the City of Fort Lauderdale, the City of Miami, and the City of Pensacola and Kaohsiung City; the City of Sunny Isles Beach and Hengchun Township; the City of Doral and the Xizhi District of New Taipei City; the City of Kissimmee with Hualien City and Miaoli City; the City of North Miami Beach and the Pingzhen District of Taoyuan City; and the City of Tavares and the Xindian District of New Taipei City, and
WHEREAS, to assist the State of Florida in its fight against the virus causing COVID-19, Taiwan donated to the state and its local governments more than 420,000 medical masks and made a monetary donation of $300,000 for rescue, recovery, and restoration efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, demonstrating Taiwan’s commitment to helping its international partners in need, NOW, THEREFORE,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That the Senate expresses its appreciation for the sister state relationship between the State of Florida and Taiwan. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution, with the Seal of the Senate affixed, be presented to President Tsai Ing-wen through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Miami and to the Executive Office of the Governor as a tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.
Source: Florida Senate S.R. 944