A letter signed by 161 members of the US House of Representatives called for a bilateral trade deal between Taiwan and the US. The letter was sent to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on Thursday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the move indicates the US’s non-partisan support for Taiwan. The ministry said that Taiwan is willing to work closely with the US to expand bilateral trade relations.
The letter states that Taiwan supports the US’s effort in the Indo Pacific region and that Taiwan is a long-term and friendly partner that shares the same values as the US. The letter also called for the US to hold trade deal negotiations with Taiwan in light of the fact that 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act. The Taiwan Relations Act forms the basis for Taiwan-US ties in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.