A resolution to express our commitment to strengthening and deepening ties between the state of Michigan and Taiwan.
The resolution calls on Michigan enterprises to conduct business with Taiwan explicitly referring to it as 'Taiwan', aligning with the Taiwan Relations Act. This move not only reinforces Michigan's legislative position on international commerce but also encourages local businesses to foster international connections with an emphasis on recognized terminology in diplomatic and trade practices. By doing so, the resolution aligns state practices with national positions on Taiwan, potentially affecting how businesses interact and develop trade relations with Taiwanese counterparts.
House Resolution No. 95 expresses the state of Michigan's commitment to strengthening its ties with Taiwan. The resolution underscores the shared values between Taiwan and Michigan, including freedom, democracy, human rights, and economic prosperity. It acknowledges Taiwan as a significant trading partner of the United States, highlighting the bilateral goods trade which reached over 127.7 billion dollars in 2023. The text emphasizes the importance of Michigan in fostering investments from Taiwanese firms, especially with the opening of the Michigan Taiwan Office in March 2024, suggesting a future growth potential in this partnership.
While the resolution seeks to solidify Michigan's partnership with Taiwan, it may raise contention in terms of how such relations are perceived domestically and internationally. By urging state enterprises to refer to Taiwan in a manner that recognizes its sovereignty, Michigan may attract scrutiny from political factions that oppose independent recognition of Taiwan. Furthermore, the absence of an avoidance of double taxation agreement remains a point of concern in the resolution, limiting the potential for deeper economic interaction unless such agreements are enacted.