US Representative Young Kim on Tuesday urged Washington to support Taiwan's admission to the IMF and encourage Taipei to apply as soon as possible.
Kim, chair of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, raised the issue with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent during a House Committee on Financial Services hearing.
The California Republican asked Bessent about implementation of the US’ Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act, which was enacted last year as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Photo: Screen grab from US Representative Young Kim’s home page
"This legislation directs the IMF representative to use the US voice and vote to support Taiwan's membership in the IMF," Kim said.
The IMF, a UN specialized agency, promotes global monetary cooperation and financial stability, and facilitates international trade.
Kim, who led a bipartisan delegation of House representatives on a trip to Taiwan earlier this year, said that the lawmakers had discussed the issue with Taiwanese officials during their visit.
"As they [Taiwanese officials] get ready to formally submit a request to join the IMF, I hope the US will use our voice to support their petition to join, or encourage them to do so as soon as possible," she said.
We're aware of your bill," Bessent said in response, referring to the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act.
The act, which was sponsored by Kim and US Representative Al Green, a Democrat, directs US officials at the Treasury and IMF to advocate for Taiwan's membership, its participation in IMF surveillance, its access to technical assistance and training, and employment opportunities for Taiwanese nationals.
Asked today about Kim's comments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it wished to thank her and the US Congress for supporting Taiwan's IMF membership.
"The ministry has been studying the matter with relevant government agencies and will broadly seek the views of Taiwan's diplomatic allies and like-minded countries, including the United States, before formulating a concrete and feasible plan," the ministry said.
Any progress would be announced at an appropriate time, the ministry added.
The Republic of China (ROC) was a founding member of the IMF and represented all of China from 1945 to 1980, despite having fled to Taiwan in 1949.
In 1980, the IMF transferred the seat to the People's Republic of China, nine years after the UN made a similar decision, ending the ROC’s formal representation.
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