2021.01.12
Press release No. 002
On January 11, 2021, the New Jersey General Assembly officially passed Assembly Resolution AR145, supporting the further development of economic and trade relations between the United States and Taiwan. This resolution “commemorates the New Jersey-Taiwan sister state relationship, and recognizes the importance of a strong and enduring partnership between New Jersey and Taiwan, and reiterates its support for a closer economic and trade partnership between the United States and the Republic of China (Taiwan).”
The resolution builds on the strong, longstanding relationship between Taiwan and New Jersey, which first entered into sisterhood in 1989. More than 100 Taiwanese companies have invested in New Jersey and in 2019 New Jersey exported approximately $460 million in products to Taiwan. Taiwan and New Jersey also signed a reciprocal driver’s license agreement the same year, and in 2020, the Taiwanese government donated 300,000 face masks to support New Jersey in the fight against Covid-19. Both sides are committed to further strengthening bilateral economic ties in the future.
In addition to Taiwan’s relationship with New Jersey, the resolution noted its strong relationship with the United States as a whole. Taiwan is currently the United States’ 10th largest trading partner, and Taiwan’s government has expressed interest in signing a bilateral trade agreement between the two sides. The resolution also stated that the United States will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The resolution passed by a vote of 75-0, and was primarily sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak, Speaker Pro Tempore Gordon Johnson, and Majority Whip Nicholas Chiaravalloti.
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