WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) led their colleagues in a show of strong support for Taiwan on Taiwan’s 114th National Day. The senators issued a joint letter celebrating Taiwan’s national day and reaffirming America’s long-standing commitment to Taiwan’s democracy, security, and prosperity.
“Together, we reaffirm the United States Congress’ decades of bipartisan support for Taiwan. Taiwan is a thriving democracy, a vital trading partner, and a critical partner in upholding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Especially today, as Taiwan faces steadily increasing Chinese aggression, we are more committed than ever to deepening our partnerships with Taiwan,” wrote the senators.
The senators continued: “We support the accelerated completion of a U.S.-Taiwan trade deal. Taiwan is America’s seventh largest trading partner and has demonstrated real commitment to expanding our economic ties. Taiwan has invested billions of dollars in the United States, supporting thousands of American jobs with new projects set to expand even further. We further welcomed Taiwan’s recent pledges to buy $10 billion worth of American soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef; purchase 6 million tons of American LNG annually; and potentially invest $200 billion more in the U.S.”
“Congress has spoken with bipartisan clarity and consistency on this matter for more than four decades: the United States will continue to support Taiwan’s security, prosperity, and democratic way of life. This commitment remains bipartisan, enduring, and unwavering. Once again, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Taiwan and the Taiwanese American community on this joyous occasion of Double Ten Day,” the senators concluded.
U.S. Senators Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), James Justice (R-W. Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Susan M. Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Curtis (R-Utah), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) also joined Risch, Tillis, and Slotkin in sending the letter.
The full text of the letter is available here.