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Minnesota House reaffirms sister-state ties with Taiwan in resolution
Summary
Members of the Minnesota House read a resolution reaffirming the state's commitment to strengthen ties with Taiwan, citing trade links, recent U.S.-Taiwan trade negotiations and support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations. The transcript does not record a formal vote.
The Minnesota House of Representatives read a resolution reaffirming its commitment to strengthen and deepen sister-state ties with Taiwan, lawmakers said on the House floor.
The resolution cites longstanding trade, educational and cultural exchanges dating to a sister-state relationship established in 1984 and highlights recent U.S.-Taiwan trade negotiations and Taiwan's economic importance to Minnesota exporters.
Members outlined economic links between Minnesota, the United States and Taiwan. One speaker said bilateral trade reached $158,600,000,000 in 2024 and another noted Taiwan imported $3,800,000,000 in U.S. farm products in 02/2024. A separate statement said Minnesota exported $644,000,000 worth of goods to Taiwan in 2024, including medical and electronic equipment and machinery used in the semiconductor supply chain.
The resolution text presented on the floor reads in part, "Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Minnesota that it reaffirms its commitment to strengthening and deepening the sister ties between the State of Minnesota and Taiwan," as read by a member identified in the transcript as Representative NISCA.
Lawmakers linked the resolution to federal law and ongoing trade talks. The transcript includes a reference to the Taiwan Relations Act (1979), citing 22 U.S.C. A7 3301 as authority for U.S. treatment of Taiwan in certain legal contexts and saying it is "legitimate for Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as Taiwan in conducting their business ties with Taiwan." A speaker also noted the first agreement under the U.S.-Taiwan initiative on 21st century trade negotiations took effect on Dec. 10, 2024, and said further agreements under negotiation could increase Minnesota exports and bilateral investment.
Lawmakers also expressed support for Taiwan's participation in international organizations, listing the U.N., World Health Organization, ICAO, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and Interpol as bodies where Taiwan's participation "impacts the health, safety, and well-being of the people of Taiwan and the rest of the world," according to remarks on the floor.
Members acknowledged Minnesota's Taiwanese American community. One speaker tied the resolution to celebrations during Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month and welcomed guests from Taiwan present in the chamber.
The transcript shows the resolution was read and discussed on the floor and a reception for guests was announced. The provided transcript does not include a roll-call or other formal vote on the resolution; the outcome is not recorded in the supplied text.
