United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21St-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join my Republican and Democratic colleagues in both the House and the Senate in this effort to demonstrate our commitment to the people of Taiwan and to affirm Congress' constitutional authority on trade.

Every Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee has cosponsored this bill, and just last week, this legislation passed out of the Ways and Means Committee unanimously. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Before turning to the substance of the bill today, I remind my colleagues that the House Democrats improved the USMCA. Congress improved both the substance of the trade agreement, especially on matters related to labor, environment, and enforcement, and also the process.

Our commitment to building a modern, proworker deal led to a trade agreement that was endorsed by labor, the business community, and, most importantly, the American people.

Congress' fierce leadership on the USMCA brought about an agreement that reflects the priorities of House Democrats. For instance, we fought hard to establish new structure for aggressive enforcement of the USMCA and to back it up with funding for enforcement actions.

USMCA now stands as a powerful beacon for what is possible when it comes to durable, enforceable trade agreements. I credit that to the work and consensus building of Congress. It is the collaboration between Congress and the executive branch that allows trade policy to live up to its fullest potential and, in this critical moment, that cannot be forgotten. This brings us to the legislation before us today, the Taiwan Implementation Act.

This is a matter of standing up for the prerogatives of the Ways and Means Committee. Congress is charged with trade responsibilities, and trade falls to the Ways and Means Committee. I believe that you get better outcomes when Congress is included in the trade negotiations, and I believe that going forward making sure Congress is fully included is not only sensible but will lead to a better outcome.

In short, Congress, and within Congress the Ways and Means Committee, oversees trade policy. We should continue to defend that position.

I will now turn to our strong support for the people of Taiwan. Congressional Democrats are unwavering in their support for the people of Taiwan, a people who have built a robust and thriving democracy that serves as a beacon in the region. As Taiwan faces incredible pressure from its authoritarian neighbor, it is vital that this institution stand and support our Democratic partner.

Strengthening bilateral trade relations with Taiwan also strengthens our shared determination to preserve democracy at home and abroad. As we see growing aggression by certain countries toward Democratic values and troubling erosions of the rule of law, it is critical that American trade policy reflect our global commitment to promoting democracy and peace.

The Biden administration has reflected this commitment by prioritizing America's economic and trade relationship with Taiwan, a priority undoubtedly shared by Congress.

The Taiwan Implementation Act demonstrates Congress' strong support for strengthening our bilateral trade relationship with Taiwan and our commitment to ensure trade agreements are durable.

The U.S. Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate foreign commerce. This legislation approves what the administration has negotiated with Taiwan and sets forth strong consultation and transparency requirements that ensure future trade agreements with Taiwan carry the will of the American people behind them.

Trade impacts every part of people's lives; from the food we eat, to the clothes we buy, to the cars we drive. It is critical that Congress act to support this first trade agreement with Taiwan and ensure that future trade agreements are subject to a congressional approval process. The Ways and Means Committee is an important gatekeeper of our trade priorities and the American people expect us to lead on these matters.

The Taiwan Implementation Act affirms our authority to do just that, while underscoring our shared commitment to furthering the deep, economic, and people-to-people ties America enjoys with Taiwan.
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Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I emphasize this bicameral, bipartisan legislation affirms Congress' constitutional authority on trade and will not only support Taiwan's democracy but strengthen our bilateral trade relations.

I thank my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, on the Ways and Means Committee for supporting this legislation. I thank Senator Wyden and Senator Crapo for working with the committee on this bill. The people of Taiwan have built a robust, thriving democracy, and both the Biden administration and Congress have recognized that deepening our economic connection is a top priority.

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