HR 108 (LSB 6069HH (4) 91)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 108

BY  SHIPLEY

A Resolution honoring the enduring special relationship between the state of Iowa and Taiwan.

   WHEREAS, in November 2021, the Iowa General Assembly established the Iowa Statehouse Taiwan Friendship Caucus with bipartisan support, becoming the fourth such caucus in midwestern states; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan is a vibrant democracy with a flourishing civil society grounded in respect for freedom, human rights, and the rule of law; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan has been one of Iowa’s most important export markets in Asia, supporting the state’s agricultural and manufacturing sectors through the Iowa International Center’s Partner States Program; and
   WHEREAS, in 2024, Taiwan and the state of Iowa signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Economic Cooperation and Trade Relations to strengthen bilateral cooperation and expand opportunities for trade, investment, and industry collaboration; and
   WHEREAS, in November 2025, the Iowa Economic Development Authority assigned a trade representative to its Taiwan office to enhance Iowa’s presence in Asia and deepen economic and investment ties; and
   WHEREAS, during 2024, Taiwan was the United States’ 7th largest merchandise trading partner, 12th largest export market, and 8th largest source of imports; and
   WHEREAS, between 2021 and 2024, the United States exported soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef to Taiwan totaling $8.46 billion, directly benefiting American farmers, including those in the state of Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan announced that businesses plan to increase purchases of these agricultural commodities to $10 billion between 2025 and 2028, an 18 percent increase, helping reduce the trade deficit of the United States and to mitigate risks from global trade disruptions; and
   WHEREAS, Taiwan promotes the Strategic Three Chains: the Democratic Value Chain grounded in freedom, human rights, and rule of law, the Non-Red Supply Chain which reduces the dependence on authoritarian regimes, and the First Island Chain which links South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines to support peace, prosperity, and security in the Indo-Pacific; and
   WHEREAS, the year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election, milestones that highlight the shared values and longstanding partnership between the two nations in advancing liberty, democracy, prosperity, and peace; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives reaffirms its commitment to strengthening and deepening ties between the state of Iowa and Taiwan; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the international arena and condemns efforts to undermine the sovereign status of Taiwan or international engagement through the distortion of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognizes the significance of these historic milestones and reaffirms its strong support for continued peace, stability, and prosperity in the Taiwan Strait; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives supports the state of Iowa and Taiwan in continuing to deepen their bilateral partnership, strengthen economic and people-to-people ties, and advance shared democratic values in the years ahead.