Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) delivered remarks at the 2022 Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission reiterating his support for Taiwan and highlighting the strong agriculture trade relationship between the island and North Dakota.
“North Dakota and Taiwan share a Sister State relationship, in which we recognize our friendship, trading partnership, and shared values of freedom and democracy,” said Senator Cramer. “Given the increased risk China poses to the region and the world, Taiwan’s strategic alliance is more important now than ever. Agreements like today’s highlight the need for a more comprehensive trade agreement between our nations. North Dakota farmers and ranchers are national leaders in the production of food for a hungry world. We are committed to supporting the peace and stability of one of America’s most important partners in the Asia-Pacific region through the strengthening of our economic partnership.”
The 2022 Taiwan Agricultural Trade Goodwill Mission was led by Dr. Ching-Cheng Huang, Deputy Minister of Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture. The Mission signed three Letters of Intent (LOI) with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the U.S. Grains Council, and the U.S. Wheat Associates. The LOIs outline Taiwan’s intention to purchase corn, soybeans, and wheat from the United States in 2023 and 2024, with a total estimated commitment of more than $3.2 billion dollars.
Taiwan is the 7th largest overseas market for U.S. agricultural products, with a total trade volume of 3.9 billion in 2021. In terms of per capita consumption, Taiwan is the 4th largest consumer of U.S. agricultural products. North Dakota is a national leader in soybean, corn, wheat, and beef production which make up the largest agriculture exports to Taiwan.
After their visit to D.C., the two delegations will travel to 7 states to meet with state government officials, farmers, exporters, and related industries to explore opportunities for business or other forms of cooperation. The Soybean and Corn Delegations will visit Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and Kentucky; the Wheat Delegation will visit Kansas, Oregon, and Idaho.
Background:
In May, Senator Cramer joined Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and 49 Senate colleagues in penning a letter to President Joe Biden urging the Administration to include Taiwan as a partner in the proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The senators argued that failing to include Taiwan in IPEF runs counter to U.S. economic interests in the region, yet the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the Biden Administration’s largest trade initiative, still excludes Taiwan.