The "Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC)" of the United States held its 78th annual meeting in Columbus, the capital of Ohio, from 21-24 July 2024, with the attendance of Director General Dennis Lei and colleagues of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Chicago. They also attended the meeting of MLC Resolution Committee on July 23rd and advanced a Pro-Taiwan Resolution with the other Midwest state legislators. Said Resolution was officially passed on the morning of Wednesday, July 24th, and was just officially publicized on July 31st. TECO in Chicago conveys its appreciation at the MLC for this.
The above-mentioned resolution states that Taiwan and the United States have strong bilateral trade, educational and cultural exchanges, and tourism. They also share the same values of freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law, peace, and prosperity.
The resolution also mentioned that the landmark 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) advances mutual security and commercial interests by stipulating that “wherever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan. Given that the related negotiations on the “Bilateral Trade Agreement” (BTA), the “Double Taxation Agreement” (ADTA) and the “Indo-Pacific Economic Prosperity Framework” (IPEF) between Taiwan and the United States are important steps to further strengthen bilateral trade between the two countries. In addition, Taiwan pursues a "steadfast diplomacy" policy in expanding international relations. Taiwan is also capable and willing to fulfill its responsibilities and cooperate with the world to respond to challenges such as humanitarian aid and disease control.
The MLC therefore resolved to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening and deepening the relationship between the 11 states in the Midwest that make up the MLC and Taiwan, the Republic of China, reaffirming its support for the Taiwan Relations Act, and supporting Midwestern businesses in choosing to use “Taiwan” to stand for Taiwan. MLC also recognizes Taiwan's efforts to ensure the signing of the “Bilateral Trade Agreement” (BTA), the “Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement” (ADTA) and the “Indo-Pacific Economic Prosperity Framework” (IPEF) with the United States. The MLC further resolved to continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in relevant international organizations and Taiwan's aspiration to make more contributions to the international community.
TECO in Chicago has made much effort for said resolution to contact and urge the US Council of State Governments (CSG) and the MLC to include appropriate context of supporting Taiwan and to refine the language mutually recognized by all parties, and has persisted in the resolution’s being passed at the 78th annual meeting. After the MLC Resolution Committee held a review meeting and voted for said resolution on the morning of July 23rd, it was submitted to the general meeting for formal approval on July 24th and was just publicized at noon on July 31st. The MLC official website link to the resolution is as follows: https://csgmidwest.org/about-us/midwestern-legislative-conference/#mlc-policy-resolutions
https://csgmidwest.org/about-us/midwestern-legislative-conference/#mlc-policy-resolutions
