This week, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., the vice chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee and the chairman of the U.S. House Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, continued his efforts to support Taiwan and ensure the U.S. maintains a strong relationship with that nation.
On Wednesday, Yoho spoke about his observations when he and other congressional leaders, including U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, visited several Asian nations in recent weeks.
Yoho noted that Taiwan is one of America’s strongest trading partners, ranking eight for U.S. agriculture exports and as the U.S.’s tenth largest trade partner overall. The North Florida Republican, who also sits on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, pointed to recent agreements as Taiwan plans to bring in 360 million bushels of U.S. grain which will sell for more than $2.8 billion.
“The United States and Taiwan enjoy a strong economic relationship that benefits both our countries,” Yoho said on Wednesday. “On a recent congressional delegation trip, I had the pleasure of meeting Taiwan’s Minister of Agriculture Lin Tsung-Hsien. During our visit, we had an important discussion on how best to increase the volume of U.S. agricultural exports to Taiwan. Today, I am excited that we have the opportunity to increase U.S. agricultural exports to Taiwan in a way that is beneficial to both the American farmer and the people of Taiwan.
“While U.S. grain is an important and major export of the United States, our fruits, vegetables, and livestock industries are also unparalleled,” Yoho added. “My home district of north central Florida alone can grow a wide variety of quality produce while still producing specialty products such as blueberries and Wagyu beef.
“To help deliver quality American agriculture products to Taiwan, we need to continue engagement through the U.S.-Taiwan Trade and Investment Framework Agreement,” Yoho concluded. “In addition to that important framework, we must continue working with organizations like the Taiwan Agricultural Trade Mission and local programs such as the Fresh From Florida program. By using all these avenues of commerce, I am confident that American farmers, and particularly those in Florida, can meet Taiwan’s demand for quality agricultural products.”
Yoho has increasingly focused on Taiwan in recent months. Back in July, Yoho brought out a bill to help Taiwan become a full member of the World Health Organization (WHO). Earlier this year, for the first time in almost a decade, Taiwan was not invited to the WHO’s World Health Assembly (WHA). Yoho’s bill would make the Start Department focus on giving Taiwan a larger role at WHA events down the road and continue to be active with the WHO.
Earlier in the summer, Yoho backed the White House’s decision to resume arm sales with Taiwan, including a $1.4 billion package which includes torpedoes, missiles and radar systems.
“I commend in the strongest terms the president’s decision to resume U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a long overdue step that reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Taiwan,” Yoho said after the White House’s announcement at the end of June. “In 1979 the United States committed itself to maintaining cultural, economic, and security ties with Taiwan when the Taiwan Relations Act became law. The act requires the executive branch to make available to Taiwan sufficient self-defense capabilities, but successive administrations have needlessly delayed arms sales, undermining the United States’ long-standing commitment and the security of Taiwan. I hope that this administration continues to uphold the mandate of the Taiwan Relations Act through the regular and consistent sale of arms to Taiwan.”
Yoho also said he was planning to continue to focus on aiding Taiwan.
“I will also be introducing an amendment to the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act that will hold future administrations accountable when it comes to regular arms sales to Taiwan by enhancing congressional oversight,” Yoho said. “Also, I believe that this administration should seek out every opportunity to strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties with a Bilateral Trade Agreement, as it would serve as a mechanism that would promote peace and stability throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”
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