INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS: Encourages further economic ties and friendship between Louisiana and Taiwan

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Barrow and 12 co-sponsors

Louisiana affirms stronger economic and strategic ties with Taiwan, including trade, infrastructure resilience, and Taiwan’s participation in international forums.

Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.

Purpose and Intent

The bill is a concurrent resolution that expresses the Louisiana Legislature’s support for stronger economic ties and friendship between the State of Louisiana and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

It emphasizes the long-standing U.S.–Taiwan relationship and aims to bolster Louisiana’s partnership with Taiwan, including its role in global economic and strategic affairs.

Key Provisions and Changes

Declares support for expanding Louisiana–Taiwan partnership and for Taiwan’s role on the global stage.

Endorses the pursuit of a tax agreement between the United States and Taiwan. -Supports the goals of the Critical Undersea Infrastructure Resilience Initiative Act, with a focus on protecting and enhancing the resilience of undersea cables near Taiwan and countering gray-zone tactics from the People’s Republic of China.

Maintains that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 should not be used to exclude Taiwan from participation in the UN system and other international fora (e.g., International Civil Aviation Organization, Interpol, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change).

Celebrates the anniversaries of the Taiwan Relations Act (forty-seventh) and Louisiana–Taiwan sister-state relationship (forty-first).

Requires that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston.

Who/What Would Be Affected

This is largely a symbolic and diplomatic policy statement by Louisiana’s state government.

Potential indirect effects include:

Enhanced informational or cultural exchanges between Louisiana and Taiwan.
Guidance for state agencies and officials engaging with Taiwanese counterparts or addressing Taiwan-related economic or security issues.
Possible alignment with national or federal efforts on U.S.–Taiwan trade and infrastructure resilience.

No direct fiscal appropriations or regulatory changes are specified in the text of the resolution.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Read by title as of May 12, 2026.

Form: House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 108) introduced in the 2026 Regular Session.

Legislative posture: Non-binding expression of policy and intent; does not enact new law or allocate funds.

Involves formal communication to a Taiwan representative office (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Houston).

Notable Details

References Taiwan’s economic standing and sectors (e.g., ICT, semiconductors, biotech, energy tech, circular economy) and Taiwan’s importance as a trade partner for the United States.

Cites the Taiwan Relations Act and emphasizes democracy, freedom, and human rights values in U.S.–Taiwan cooperation.

Connects to broader themes of international diplomacy, supply chain security, and undersea infrastructure resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.

Bill