WASHINGTON, DC - Fifty-two U.S. Senators wrote President Obama to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act.
The letter was spearheaded by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Inhofe (R-OK).
In their letter, the fifty-two senators wrote: “The 35th anniversary not only represents an important milestone in our longstanding relationship with Taiwan; it also consolidates the foundation on which our bilateral security, economic and trade relations will continue to grow and flourish and reassures our commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region."
The letter appears below and here.
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The United States and Taiwan have enjoyed a robust and unique partnership over the past decades. Taiwan is one of our most reliable and strongest allies in the Asia Pacific and has grown into one of democracy’s leading lights.
April 10, 2014 will mark the 35th anniversary of the enactment of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), which was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law in 1979. This legislation provides an institutional framework and legal basis for our continued relations with Taiwan after the end of formal diplomatic ties. The 35th anniversary not only represents an important milestone in our longstanding relationship with Taiwan; it also consolidates the foundation on which our bilateral security, economic and trade relations will continue to grow and flourish and reassures our commitment to maintain peace and stability in the region. Helping Taiwan make further meaningful contributions in the region is in the interest of the United States and in line with the spirit of the TRA.
Taiwan’s economic achievements over the last decades have proven the merits of the TRA. Taiwan has aspired for greater integration into regional economic and trade mechanisms, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Looking forward, as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of this landmark legislation, we hope you will continue to expand dialogue with Taiwan and join us in expressing our continued support for Taiwan’s democracy, freedom and economic prosperity.
Sincerely,
Robert Menendez
James Inhofe
Mark Begich
Richard Blumenthal
Roy Blunt
Cory Booker
John Boozman
Barbara Boxer
Sherrod Brown
Richard Burr
Benjamin L. Cardin
Saxby Chambliss
Daniel Coats
Tom Coburn
Thad Cochran
Susan M. Collins
John Cornyn
Ted Cruz
Deb Fischer
Lindsey Graham
Orrin G. Hatch
Martin Heinrich
Heidi Heitkamp
John Hoeven
John Isakson
Mike Johanns
Tim Johnson
Tim Kaine
Angus S. King Jr.
Mark Kirk
Mary L. Landrieu
Mike Lee
Carl Levin
Joe Manchin III
John McCain
Jerry Moran
Lisa Murkowski
Christopher Murphy
Rob Portman
James E. Risch
Pat Roberts
Marco Rubio
Tim Scott
Jeff Sessions
Jeanne Shaheen
Jon Tester
John Thune
David Vitter
Mark R. Warner
Elizabeth Warren
Roger F. Wicker
Ron Wyden
