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As Introduced
136th
General Assembly
Regular
Session
H. C. R. No. 16
2025-2026
Representatives
Mathews, T., King
Cosponsors:
Representatives Thomas, D., Newman, Gross, Barhorst, Lear
A
c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N
Reaffirming
Ohio's commitment to strengthening and deepening its sister-state
relationship with Taiwan, urging all Ohio businesses to refer to
Taiwan, the Republic of China, as Taiwan, opposing the People's
Republic of China's misuse of United Nations Resolution 2758, and
continuing its support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in
international organizations that impact the health, safety, and
well-being of the people of Taiwan and support Taiwan's aspirations
to make more contributions in international societies.
BE
IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE
SENATE CONCURRING):
WHEREAS,
In 1985, the State of Ohio signed a sister-state relationship
agreement with Taiwan, officially called the Republic of China, and
ever since Ohio and Taiwan have enjoyed strong bilateral trade,
educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism; and
WHEREAS,
Taiwan shares the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights,
the rule of law, peace, and prosperity with the United States and the
State of Ohio; and
WHEREAS,
The United States ranks as Taiwan's second-largest trading partner;
Taiwan is the seventh largest trading partner of the United States,
and bilateral trade reached more than $158.6 billion USD in 2024; and
WHEREAS,
The total agricultural trade between Taiwan and the United States
reached $4.67 billion. Taiwan imported nearly $3.8 billion worth of
United States farm products in 2024, making it the largest market for
United States agricultural products overall, the fourth largest
market on a per capita basis among the top 10 United States
agricultural export destinations, and the seventh largest market for
United States soybeans and corn individually; and
WHEREAS,
Due to its high quality produce, the United States remains one of
Taiwan's largest sources of agricultural products, supplying more
than one-fifth of the country's major agricultural imports; and
WHEREAS,
Taiwan and the State of Ohio have enjoyed a long and mutually
beneficial relationship with the prospect of future growth, and
Taiwan was Ohio's fourth-largest export market in Asia in 2023, with
$904.23 million worth of Ohio goods exported to Taiwan. Taiwan was
also Ohio's fourth-largest import market in Asia in 2023, with $1.694
billion worth of Taiwan goods imported; and
WHEREAS,
To strengthen the Taiwan-Ohio bilateral economic relationship, it is
essential to support Ohio businesses to enhance their economic
engagement with Taiwan based on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (22
U.S.C. 3301 et seq.), as the act stipulates that "[w]henever the
laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries,
nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall
include and such laws shall apply with such respect to Taiwan,"
and it is legitimate for Ohio businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan
in conducting business with Taiwan; and
WHEREAS,
Negotiations for a Bilateral Trade Agreement, the Avoidance of Double
Taxation Agreement, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity between Taiwan and the United States are an important step
toward further strengthening bilateral trade between the two
countries, thereby increasing Ohio's exports to Taiwan and creating
bilateral investment and technical collaboration through mutual trade
agreements; and
WHEREAS,
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 cannot be used to
exclude Taiwan from participation in the United Nations system or
other international forums, and does not establish the United
Nation's stance on Taiwan's ultimate political status, nor does it
affirm the People's Republic of China's "one China"
principle; and
WHEREAS,
Taiwan has undertaken in its international relations "Integrated
Diplomacy," highlighting three key pillars: Value-based
Diplomacy, Alliance-based Diplomacy, and Economic and Trade
Diplomacy, in which Taiwan aims to safeguard and bolster its role in
global supply chains and strengthen exchanges with like-minded
countries, exerting efforts to implement five key trust industry
sectors identified by President Lai Ching-te, which include
semiconductors, artificial intelligence, defense technology, security
and surveillance, and next-generation communications, to not only
strengthen Taiwan's critical position in the global supply chain, but
also foster closer ties with diplomatic allies, so as to improve its
overall security and resilience; now therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of
Ohio, reaffirm our commitment to the strengthening and deepening of
the sister ties between the State of Ohio and Taiwan, the Republic of
China; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That we reaffirm our support for the Taiwan Relations Act and support
Ohio businesses referring to Taiwan as Taiwan; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That we endorse Taiwan's efforts to secure the signing of the
Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and the Indo-Pacific Economic
Framework for Prosperity with the United States, and reiterate our
support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the State
of Ohio and Taiwan; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That we continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in
international organizations, such as the United Nations, World Health
Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the
International Criminal Police Organization, which impact the health,
safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan, and support Taiwan's
aspirations to make more contributions to international societies;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly
authenticated copies of this resolution to the United States
Secretary of State, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in
Chicago, Illinois, the members of the Ohio congressional delegation,
and to the news media of Ohio.