Bill Text: NJ AR130 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes NJ-Taiwan sister-state relationship and anniversary of Taiwan Relations Act; reiterates support for closer partnership between US, NJ, and Taiwan.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-3)
Status: (Passed) 2026-05-18 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR130 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-AR130-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes NJ-Taiwan sister-state relationship and anniversary of Taiwan Relations Act; reiterates support for closer partnership between US, NJ, and Taiwan.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution commemorating the 37th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister-state relationship and the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, and reiterating support for a closer economic, educational, and scientific partnership between the United States, the State of New Jersey, and Taiwan.
Whereas, The United States and Taiwan in the Republic of China are bonded by a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy; and
Whereas, The United States Congress passed the landmark Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) in 1979 to sustain a close bilateral relationship and advance mutual security and commercial interests between the United States and Taiwan; thereafter, the TRA, and the Six Assurances provided by the United States in 1982, have served as the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan relations and helped preserve peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait; and
Whereas, While 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and its hard-won democracy, it also marks the 30th anniversary of Taiwan's first direct presidential election, in which the Taiwanese people fully exercised their democratic rights; and
Whereas, In 1996, the people of Taiwan used their votes to choose their president despite external military threats and attempts to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty; and
Whereas, As a guardian of the "Global Democratic Value Chain," the United States deployed two aircraft carrier groups to ensure Taiwan's smooth presidential election, standing shoulder to shoulder with Taiwan as steadfast democratic value partners in the Western Pacific; and
Whereas, Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial to the maintenance of a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific, and its importance has been highlighted in global summits, making Taiwan an indispensable partner in safeguarding peace and stability in the region; and
Whereas, The United States has assisted Taiwan in participating in the International Civil Aviation Organization, and will continue to support Taiwan's meaningful participation in these and other international organizations; and
Whereas, The United States countered the attempts of distorting the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to block Taiwan's participation in international organizations by passing the Taiwan International Solidarity Act in July of 2023, emphasizing that the resolution does not address the issue of representation of Taiwan and its people in the United Nations or any related organizations; and
Whereas, The United States and Taiwan share a close, long-term economic relationship, including an estimated $256 billion in bilateral trades in 2025, making Taiwan the 4th largest trading partner of the United States; and
Whereas, On February 12th, 2026, the United States and Taiwan signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which further strengthens the economic and trade relationship between the United States and Taiwan, provides mutual benefits, facilitates significant expansion and growth of United States manufacturing through substantial tariff reductions, removal of non-tariff barriers, investments, and procurement in key sectors and products, enhances balanced trade, and fortifies the semiconductor supply chain; and
Whereas, The advancement of reaching a U.S.-Taiwan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and negotiations on an Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement are to strengthen bilateral economic and trade partnerships, create jobs, incentivize investment, and fortify the resilience of the supply chain for both sides; and
Whereas, In 2025, New Jersey exported approximately $740 million worth of products to Taiwan, making Taiwan its 6th largest export market in Asia, and both sides are committed to strengthening economic ties, as more than 200 Taiwanese companies have invested in New Jersey, which has helped to create jobs in this State; and
Whereas, In May 2024, Choose New Jersey's New Jersey Asia-Pacific Center was officially opened in Taiwan, emphasizing the unique innovation ecosystems in which key industries thrive in both regions and formalizing a partnership as an ideal match for economic growth; and
Whereas, New Jersey and Taiwan signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Reciprocal Issuance of Driver Licenses in 2019, helping to increase the mobility of international students, businessmen, and academics from both sides; and
Whereas, New Jersey and Taiwan have enjoyed a close and prosperous affiliation since entering into a sister-state relationship in 1989, and Newark established a sister-city agreement with Taiwan's Taoyuan City in 2021, demonstrating both sides' interest in expanding our city-level cooperation; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House commemorates the 37th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister-state relationship and the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act and reiterates its support for a closer economic, educational, and scientific partnership between the United States, the State of New Jersey, and Taiwan.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor of the State of New Jersey, the Ambassador of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, and the Director of the New Jersey Asia-Pacific Center in Taipei.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution commemorates the 37th anniversary of the New Jersey-Taiwan sister-state relationship and the 47th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, and reiterates support for a closer economic, educational, and scientific partnership between the United States, the State of New Jersey, and Taiwan.
