Nine members of the US Congress have issued statements or certificates congratulating the Republic of China on its 102nd National Day, with some saying that Taipei and Washington should sign a bilateral investment agreement (BIA) soon, given Taiwan’s importance to the US in the Asia-Pacific region.
Some Congress members also proposed that Taiwan be included in the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and that the two countries conduct more mutual visits by Cabinet members.
Representative to the US King Pu-tsung (金溥聰) expressed his gratitude to the Congress members for their congratulations and their support on important issues related to Taiwan-US ties a time when the Congress and the White House are busy dealing with a domestic budget crisis and debt ceiling issues.
According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US, 25 Congress members have extended National Day congratulations to Taiwan and expressed support for the nation’s participation in the TPP, as well as the signing of a BIA with the US.
Among the 25 were Robert Menendez, the chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and US House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Royce said in his statement that the US-Taiwan relationship is the cornerstone of Washington’s foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region and that he is excited that as a direct result of bipartisan efforts in Congress, Taiwan was finally invited to participate in the International Civil Aviation Organization this year.
“The US enjoys a very positive and productive economic relationship with Taiwan... I urge the [US] Administration to quickly finish the ongoing US-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement negotiations and move on to a broader, more comprehensive Bilateral Investment Agreement with Taiwan,” Royce said in the statement.
Some members of Congress added that since Taiwan plays an important role in the world and is a WTO and APEC member, it should be included in the TPP.
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