REAFFIRMING THE LONGSTANDING SISTERHOOD PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DELAWARE AND TAIWAN.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. K. Johnson & Rep. Spiegelman & Sen. Paradee & Sen. Pettyjohn

Reps. Osienski, Romer, Hilovsky, Yearick; Sens. Sokola, Hansen, Mantzavinos, Huxtable, Hoffner, Walsh, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 68

REAFFIRMING THE LONGSTANDING SISTERHOOD PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN DELAWARE AND TAIWAN.

WHEREAS, the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan) enjoy a longstanding partnership and share the common values of freedom, democracy, and human rights; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, Taiwan was ranked as the second freest country in Asia by Freedom House, and was ranked sixth among 184 world economies in terms of economic freedom by the Heritage Foundation, showcasing Taiwan as a beacon of democracy in East Asia; and

WHEREAS, on September 12, 2000, Delaware established a cherished sisterhood partnership with Taiwan, and in 2025, both Delaware and Taiwan celebrated this partnership to further boost even closer relations; and

WHEREAS, the United States and Taiwan have forged increasingly strong economic relations over decades; and

WHEREAS, Delaware supports the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, Economic Prosperity Partnership Dialogue (EPPD) and the Technology, Trade and Investment Collaboration (TTIC); and

WHEREAS, Taiwan holds a key position in the global economy and plays a vital role in the world’s information and computer technology (ICT) industry as well as high-tech global supply chains; and

WHEREAS, Delaware supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (ADTA) with the United States to boost Delaware exports to Taiwan and to increase Taiwanese investment in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, the trade volume between Delaware and Taiwan amounted to nearly $289 million, and Taiwan is Delaware’s fourth largest source of imports and fifth largest export market in Asia, underscoring Taiwan’s steadfast role as a key trading partner of Delaware; and

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 153

rd

General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the members of the Delaware General Assembly hereby reaffirm Delaware’s commitment to strengthen the sisterhood partnership with Taiwan; commend Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; and continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in, and contributions to, the international stage.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Matt Meyer of Delaware and another sent to Ambassador Alexander Yui of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution reaffirms Delaware's commitment to strengthen the longstanding partnership with Taiwan, supports Taiwan’s efforts to secure the signing of a Bilateral Trade Agreement and an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement with the United States; commends Taiwan’s vibrant full-fledged democracy; supports the reopening of a Delaware Trade Office in Taiwan; and continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation and contributions in international organizations.